El Tigre Terrible possible for Pat O'Brien Stakes

The two-time stakes winner El Tigre Terrible may have his graded stakes debut in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 29.

Trainer Peter Miller said the $150,000 O’Brien is a goal following El Tigre Terrible’s win against 3-year-old statebreds in the Real Good Deal Stakes at seven furlongs Friday. The O’Brien Stakes would be El Tigre Terrible’s first start outside of his age group.

“He handled seven-eighths really well,” Miller said.

Owned by Slam Dunk Racing and Michael Nentwig, El Tigre Terrible has won 4 of 8 starts and earned $210,510. Last fall, El Tigre Terrible won the Speakeasy Stakes for 2-year-olds at five furlongs on turf at Santa Anita.

:: Play Del Mar with DRF! Visit our Del Mar shop for DRF PPs, Picks and Clocker Reports:

Miller said that C Z Rocket, who set a track record of 1:15 for 6 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland last month, is another runner from his stable that could start in the O’Brien.

The field for the Pat O’Brien Stakes may include the multiple Grade 1 winner McKinzie, who was withdrawn from Saturday’s Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs. The winner of the O’Brien Stakes receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland on Nov. 7.