Desert Steel to stay with her Cal-bred friends

DEL MAR, Calif. – Even though the 2-year-old filly Desert Steel set a track record for five furlongs Sunday when defeating maidens, trainer Simon Callaghan said he would keep her in races for California-breds for now, rather than aim high against the likes of the highly regarded Luminance and Tara’s Tango in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante.

Instead, Callaghan said the $150,000 Generous Portion Stakes on Aug. 27 was the next intended start for Desert Steel.

Sunday’s race, run over a speedy Polytrack surface, was the third for Desert Steel, who had run twice previously on dirt at Santa Anita.

“She definitely likes this surface a lot more,” Callaghan said. “She worked better than ever over this. She kind of spun her wheels on dirt.”

Desert Steel is the third horse to set a five-furlong track record at this meet, having covered the distance in 56.76 seconds. She was one of four horses who set track records at four different distances on Polytrack on Saturday and Sunday.

◗ Art Sherman, the trainer of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome, on Sunday between races was presented with the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award, given annually in Southern California to a person who has served the sport with integrity and distinction. This is the 11th time the award, inaugurated by Hollywood Park, has been given out. The previous 10 were presented at Hollywood Park, which closed last year.