Del Mar: Sadler a major player in La Jolla, Mabee

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DEL MAR, Calif. - Trainer John Sadler and owner Kosta Hronis will try to sweep this weekend’s graded stakes races at Del Mar, with Greeley Awesome representing them in the Grade 2, $150,000 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds on Saturday, and the tag team of Journaliste and Lady of Shamrock in the Grade 2, $250,000 John Mabee Stakes for older female turf horses Sunday.

Greeley Awesome was a fast-finishing second behind Gervinho in a division of the Oceanside Stakes on opening day July 17, his first start since being claimed for $40,000 by Hronis.

Gervinho is possible for the La Jolla. Others expected for the 1 1/16-mile grass race include Dice Flavor, Dry Summer, Freakin Rocket, Pure Loyalty, Si Sage, Uno Dos Adios, and possibly Den’s Legacy and Rosengold.

Dry Summer worked a half-mile in 48.60 seconds on Polytrack on Tuesday morning.

Journaliste and Lady of Shamrock are part of a small field expected for the Mabee. Lady of Shamrock, second in the Grade 2 New York Handicap at Belmont Park in her last start June 29, should be one of the top two choices in the race. But she comes from well back and needs pace, hence the presence of Journaliste, a sprinter who has never raced farther than seven furlongs.

[DEL MAR 2013: Complete meet coverage, schedule, race replays]

Customer Base, My Gi Gi, and Grade 1 Gamely runner-up Tiz Flirtatious also are expected for the 1 1/8-mile Mabee.