Del Rio Harbor will point to Seattle Slew Handicap

AUBURN, Wash. – Del Rio Harbor came out of last Sunday’s Coca-Cola Handicap in good order, trainer Doris Harwood said, and the 3-year-old likely will start next July 13 in the 1 1/16-mile Seattle Slew Handicap.

Del Rio Harbor ran one mile in the Coca-Cola in a swift 1:34.73 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 85, easily the best of his nine starts to date.

Noosito, Del Rio Harbor’s more ballyhooed stablemate, finished second, making it a win-win day for Harwood, who started four horses in the Coca-Cola (Kenai King and Trick or Retreat never got involved, finishing seventh and eighth, respectively). The only surprise for some was that Del Rio Harbor so emphatically turned the tables on Noosito, who won the May 25 Auburn Handicap with apparent ease.

“It doesn’t surprise me that he had that race in him,” Harwood said of Del Rio Harbor. “He was a 2-year-old champion for a reason. It was his day, and things went perfect for him. The other horse was a little rank in the gate, he didn’t get the break he needed, and then he got shuffled a bit. But it’s a nice problem for me to have, with the two best 3-year-olds on the grounds.”

The victory was doubly sweet for jockey Gallyn Mitchell, who rode Del Rio Harbor for the first time Sunday and recorded his first stakes victory since suffering a heart attack in April 2013.

“Gallyn fit the horse beautifully, and everything went his way,” Harwood said. “It was sweet for me to have Gallyn win his first stakes race back, with Gallyn on Del Rio Harbor.”

Del Rio Harbor and Noosito will move on to tackle the next stakes race on the calendar, the Seattle Slew.

“They’ll both go right into the next stakes,” Harwood said. “Noosito’s not going anywhere. Del Rio’s not going anywhere. All the owners want to win the [Emerald Downs] Derby.”

For the two Harwood runners who faltered in the Coca-Coca, there are easier assignments ahead.

“Trick or Retreat needs more experience,” he said. “My two that outran him are a heck of lot more experienced and tougher. But that’s OK. He deserved a shot, and he kind of told us maybe he’s not ready for that yet. Kenai King, the same thing, he’s just not as fast as the other two.”

** Scat Daddybaby, sidelined since April because of a foot bruise, is scheduled to work six furlongs Sunday as he gears up for his second start of 2014. That start could come July 20 in the Mt. Rainier Handicap.

Scat Daddybaby ran six furlongs in 1:08.20 to win an allowance race on the second day of the meeting and was expected to be a formidable contender in Emerald’s handicap division. Trainer Robbie Baze has been forced to play catch-up over the past two months, but Scat Daddybaby has responded well, breezing five furlongs in 58.80 in his most recent workout June 15.

“We’re taking it one week at a time, really,” Baze said. “When he’s ready, we’ll hopefully find a race and take him over there. We’re trying not to rush him. The bruise just came out of the foot, and he’s been training really well. If everything stays on track, we’ll get him up to working a mile, and if the timing is right, we’ll go into the next stake.”