Elwood J jumps right into I'm Smokin Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – A summer in which the best horse in the barn knocks off a pair of Grade 1 races and cements her position as the unquestioned leader of her division doesn’t sound all that bad, but for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and his local assistant, Dan Ward, the success of Songbird at Saratoga has not carried over to their local division at Del Mar, where they entered the final week with just five wins from 62 starters.

That’s not an acceptable number for Hollendorfer or Ward, both of whom are extremely competitive. They have a chance to improve that mark on Friday, when the impressive debut winner Elwood J steps straight into stakes company and looms a top contender in the $150,000 I’m Smokin Stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds going six furlongs.

Elwood J showed high speed and pulled clear down the lane when beating maidens on July 29, earning the best last-out Beyer Speed Figure in the field. He has worked four times since then, with a sharp six-furlong move in 1:13 on Aug. 25 completing the series.

“His first race was very promising, and he’s trained well in the meantime,” Ward said.

Six others were entered in the I’m Smokin, including California Diamond and Milton Freewater, who were second and third in a similar California-bred stakes, the Graduation, earlier in the meet.

The I’m Smokin goes early as race 2 on an eight-race card that begins at 3:30 p.m. Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Elwood J, by Vronsky

Beyer: 72

◗ He was a 2 1/2-length winner of his debut, and the horse who ran second in that race, Caiifornia Clone, was scheduled to run in a maiden race Wednesday that should provide insight into how well that debut win is holding up.

California Diamond, by Harbor the Gold

Beyers: 69-78-65

◗ He got caught in a fierce pace battle last time when finishing second to Green With Eddie, who was ticketed for the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity against open company on closing day, Sept. 5, before he was sidelined with an injury.

◗ He won his first two starts, both at Santa Anita, and his 78 Beyer when winning the Santa Anita Juvenile – against open company – is the best figure in the field.

Milton Freewater, by Creative Cause

Beyers: 66-65

◗ He was privately purchased after a debut win at Los Alamitos in April and did not run again until the Aug. 3 Graduation, finishing one length behind California Diamond.

◗ His trainer, Doug O’Neill, also sends out Rinse and Repeat, who should appreciate a return to statebred company after finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Best Pal last time out.