Giant Expectations out to show 7 is the new 4 in Pat O'Brien Stakes
DEL MAR, Calif. – A veteran 7-year-old will try to turn back time at Del Mar Saturday, when he chases history in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes.
To win the seven-furlong sprint for a second time, Giant Expectations must overcome both age and inactivity as well as catch favorite Flagstaff and sharp Law Abidin Citizen.
Giant Expectations, winner of the Pat O’Brien in 2017 and second in 2019, would be the oldest to win the race. Seven-year-olds and older are 0 for 19 in the Pat O’Brien the past three decades, but maybe Giant Expectations has discovered the fountain of youth.
“To me, it doesn’t seem like he’s lost a step,” trainer Peter Eurton said. “He’s a fresh, young 7-year-old, and he hasn’t run a lot. We’re asking a lot, but he’s a young 7.”
Giant Expectations has raced 23 times, winning four races and more than $1.3 million. In addition to age, he also must overcome a long layoff. Giant Expectations not started since November due to a cracked splint bone. Eurton expects he will fire first start back.
“I don’t think he needs it,” Eurton said. “He seems very sharp, very enthusiastic. He seems like he still has the desire. His workouts have been more than generic. He’s been somewhat pedal to the metal. He seems to run well fresh, and he likes this track.”
Umberto Rispoli rides Giant Expectations, and though the Pat O’Brien is a Win and You’re In for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, Eurton downplayed the possibility of Giant Expectations stretching out for the two-turn race Nov. 7 at Keeneland.
Flagstaff, conversely, does have designs on the Breeders’ Cup, albeit at one turn. John Sadler trains Flagstaff, winner of the Grade 2, seven-furlong San Carlos in March and returning from a break of nearly three months after a misfire in June.
“We freshened him for the fall campaign, with one start here,” Sadler said. “I want to end up in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He’s doing real good, he’s ready to go.”
Flagstaff, 6, has won five races and $485,785 from 13 starts for Sadler, who won the Pat O’Brien with Catalina Cruiser the past two years. Victor Espinoza rides Flagstaff, 5-2 favorite by linemaker John Lies. His pressing style increases the likelihood of a good trip.
Law Abidin Citizen could set the pace from the rail and possibly wire the field if he can reproduce his third in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby. Law Abidin Citizen dueled through fast fractions, shook off pace rivals that finished last and next to last, then was collared by closers Collusion Illusion and Lexitonian.
“He bounced back really strong for as hard as he ran in the Big Crosby,” trainer Mark Glatt said, adding, “I’m never happy about the inside post.” Abel Cedillo rides Law Abidin Citizen, whose fall campaign does not include Breeders’ Cup.
“He’s a gelding, and we’re kind of in the mode at this point of picking spots he could be the most competitive,” Glatt said. “My gut feeling right now is the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile would be a little too tough for him. But we certainly would like to have our way paid and at least have it as an option.”
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The 6-year-old Law Abidin Citizen’s chance to win the Pat O’Brien depends on pace pressure from the outside. He benefits by one likely defection. The 3-year-old front-runner Vertical Threat is expected to scratch and run in the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile on Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs.
P R Radio Star will try to become the first horse to win three races at the Del Mar meet this summer. Claimed for $25,000 in June at Churchill Downs, he won a second-level allowance July 12, followed by a facile win as the odds-on favorite in a starter allowance Aug. 2.
“I thought his two performances here, and the way he’s training and the way the field came up, he merits a shot,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “I’m expecting him to give it his all, and we’ll see where we stand class-wise.”
C Z Rocket is 3 for 3 since he was claimed by Peter Miller for $40,000 in spring at Oaklawn. His last two Beyers – 96 and 95 – are the field’s top recent figs. Other entrants include first-time gelding Manhattan Up and longshot 7-year-old Blameitonthelaw.
Queen’s Plate winner returns
One Bad Boy, winner of the 2019 Queen’s Plate at Woodbine, returns from a 13-month layoff a race before the Pat O’Brien. He runs in race 9, a second-level allowance. Richard Baltas trains One Bad Boy, unraced since finishing third in a 2019 stakes at Fort Erie.
“He didn’t seem the same after the Prince of Wales,” Baltas said. “We just gave him some time. He’s doing good now. I loved his last few works on grass.” Drayden Van Dyke rides One Bad Boy, as regular rider Flavien Prat opts for allowance winner Border Town.
Asked if One Bad Boy can win first start back, Baltas was emphatic. His paraphrased reply: “Heck yeah.”