Dortmund entered but on fence for Native Diver
DEL MAR, Calif. – Dortmund popped a quarter crack after a workout last Saturday, the timing of which kept him from traveling to Kentucky for the Grade 1 Clark Handicap on Friday. As the week has progressed, trainer Bob Baffert said he has been able to train Dortmund and hopes he’ll be able to run on Saturday at Del Mar in the Grade 3, $150,000 Native Diver Stakes.
But it will be a game-time decision on whether to run, Baffert said Thursday, because the quarter-crack patch won’t be applied until Saturday morning. Both physically and from a parimutuel standpoint, Dortmund looms large over this field, so his status will be closely watched.
If all is well, he’s running. Dortmund returned from a five-month layoff to win a minor stakes race at Santa Anita five weeks ago and has worked sharply since.
Dortmund could face a severe challenge, though, from the improving 3-year-old Iron Fist, who won an allowance race here earlier in the meet in his first start since finishing second in the Pennsylvania Derby. He also carries nine fewer pounds (124-115) than Dortmund under the conditions of the race.
Five others were entered, including the mare Yahilwa, whose connections are trying to navigate the absence of graded stakes races on dirt for older fillies and mares on this circuit from September to January. Also entered are Big Cazanova, Cat Burglar, Imperative, and Majestic City.
The Native Diver goes as race 8 on the nine-race card.
KEY CONTENDERS
Dortmund (Last 3 Beyers: 105-78-101)
◗ He was worn out after the Preakness but returned in good form when capturing the Big Bear, getting a Beyer Speed Figure just one point off his career top, which was earned in the Santa Anita Derby.
◗ His only two losses came in the Kentucky Derby, when he was third, and the Preakness, in which he was fourth. This will be his first start at Del Mar and his first with jockey Gary Stevens. Regular rider Martin Garcia is at Churchill Downs on Saturday to ride Mor Spirit for Baffert in the Kentucky Jockey Club.
Iron Fist (Last 3 Beyers: 93-103-91)
◗ Much has been thought of this son of Tapit since he was a yearling, when he was purchased at auction for $1.55 million, and he now seems to be on an upward trajectory, with three wins in his last five starts.
◗ He added blinkers when winning last time out, but despite the victory, they are coming right off, per the recommendation of jockey Mike Smith.
“Mike said he tried to pull himself up after he made the lead, so we decided to take them off,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Thursday.
◗ Prior to finishing second in the Pennsylvania Derby, he was fourth in the West Virginia Derby, his trip compromised by racing on a rail that appeared to be the worst part of the track that day.
Yahilwa (Last 3 Beyers: 88-98-85)
◗ She faded to sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland last time out, but prior to that, she was a close third in the Spinster there.
◗ In her lone start at Del Mar, she was a distant second to Beholder this past summer in the Clement Hirsch.
Imperative (Last 3 Beyers: 98-98-102)
◗ This will be only his third start since moving to trainer Richard Baltas, for whom he was fourth last time out in the Awesome Again at Santa Anita.
◗ He turned in a better-than-it-looked effort when fifth in the Pacific Classic, in which he broke poorly and was fanned out badly into the lane.