Garcia takes over training duties for Puype

Francisco Garcia, an assistant to trainer Mike Puype, will have his first starter when City of Angels starts in the fifth race at Del Mar on Friday.

Garcia has taken over the stable after Puype was provisionally suspended on July 19 by the Horseracing and Wagering Integrity Unit for alleged possession of two banned substances in late April.

City of Angels starts in an allowance race at a mile, the 4-year-old gelding’s first start since he finished fourth by a length in a similar race on turf at Santa Anita on June 16. City of Angels was Puype’s most recent starter. He did not have any runners during the Los Alamitos summer meeting.

Puype, 57, has won 14 races this year, and 827 races in his career.

City of Angels is Garcia’s only runner from Thursday through Saturday at Del Mar.

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