Eighth race may give clues to ninth race

DEL MAR, Calif. – Mac Daddy Mac is one of the top contenders Saturday in race 8, the Bob Hope Stakes. The very next race, the last of the day, includes Watch My Dust, who ran second to Mac Daddy Mac, and Drefong, who was fifth as the favorite, when all three were making their debuts Oct. 24 at Santa Anita.

Of the 14 2-year-olds entered in the six-furlong finale on Saturday, nine have yet to race. Peter Miller trains two of them – Eric the Trojan and Triple Clown – but said he might end up scratching Triple Clown.

“I think he’s a couple of works short,” Miller said Thursday.

As for that name, Miller said: “Everyone in this business is so serious, myself included. Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself.”

Miller said Eric the Trojan, named for a passionate USC fan who is a friend of owner Gary Hartunian, “is a really nice colt, but I think he wants to go farther.”

◗ It was only 42 degrees at 7 a.m. on Thursday at Del Mar, which makes the Saturday giveaway, a fleece pullover, quite the timely item. One is available per paid admission while supplies last.

◗ Lucky Folie, tuning up for the Desi Arnaz Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on Sunday, worked three furlongs in 35.80 seconds at Santa Anita on Thursday for trainer Richard Mandella.