Eddie Read probables work on newly opened turf course

DEL MAR, Calif. – Tuesday morning marked the first time horses could get on the Del Mar grass course this summer, and it had plenty of activity, with 31 workouts, including by Bronzo and Winning Prize, both of whom are being considered by trainer Neil Drysdale for the $400,000 Eddie Read Stakes on Saturday, the first Grade 1 race of the meet.

They worked five furlongs in company, around orange cones – known as dogs – with Winning Prize blasting off to a long lead under Martin Garcia, and Bronzo running him down late under Gary Stevens. Bronzo received an official clocking of 1:01.80 – which equaled the best time of 12 at the distance – while Winning Prize was timed in 1:02.40.

Drysdale had until Wednesday morning – the day entries are to be taken for the 1 1/8-mile Eddie Read – to decide what to do, but his initial thought after the work was to go with Bronzo and await the $80,000 Wickerr Stakes at one mile on July 22 with Winning Prize.

Watching the works from the stands, Drysdale was impressed with how well his horses traveled over the surface, “and it sounds like it has some give to it,” Drysdale said.

Midnight Storm, second last time out in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile, is the likely favorite for the Read. Others expected to enter the race include Big Cazanova, Gabriel Charles, Finnegan’s Wake, and Twentytwentyvision.

Big Cazanova worked a half-mile on the turf on Tuesday in 52.20 seconds for trainer Peter Miller, while Gabriel Charles went five furlongs in 1:03.20 for Jeff Mullins.

Also Saturday is the $80,000 Osunitas Stakes for filly and mare turf runners. A large field is expected, including Istanford, a two-time stakes winner here last summer for Michael Stidham. She worked a half-mile on turf in 49.80 seconds, the best time of 14 at the distance.