Desert Stone on the improve heading into Hollywood Derby

DEL MAR, Calif. - At the start of the Del Mar summer meeting, Desert Stone was coming off maiden and optional-claiming victories, and appeared poised to play a leading role in the 3-year-old turf division in California. That projection may have been a few months off.

After finishing fourth in the Oceanside Stakes in July and sixth in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 2, Desert Stone showed improvement to finish third by a half-length in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita on Nov. 4. Owned by Zayat Stables, Desert Stone runs next in Saturday’s Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar.

“Desert Stone seems to be thriving,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “I think he’s coming back around.”

The $300,000 Hollywood Derby is run at 1 1/8 miles and will be a stern test for Desert Stone. The other probable starters are Carrick, Choo Choo, Have At It, Instilled Regard, Platinum Warrior, Prince Earl, Pubilius Syris, Raging Bull, Risky Proposition, River Boyne, and Untamed Domain.

River Boyne and Have At It were first and second in the Twilight Derby.

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