Hollywood Derby, Matriarch highlight Del Mar meet's final days
DEL MAR, Calif. – The fall Del Mar meet started with a flourish by playing host to the Breeders’ Cup and it will finish with a flourish, with seven graded turf stakes over the final four days, including Grade 1, $400,000 races on Saturday and Sunday that have lured top-quality horses and riders from the East Coast.
The Grade 1 Hollywood Derby for 3-year-olds on Saturday and Grade 1 Matriarch for fillies and mares on Sunday both were won last year by trainer Chad Brown, with Domestic Spending and Viadera, respectively, and he will try to win both again.
Public Sector, winner of three straight graded stakes at Saratoga and Belmont Park, is scheduled to ship west for Brown for the Hollywood Derby. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount.
Regal Glory, runner-up in the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland in her last start, represents Brown in the Matriarch. Jose Ortiz, who is here for the weekend, has the mount.
The Hollywood Derby, at 1 1/8 miles, is expected to have a large field when entries are taken on Wednesday. Others expected for the race include Beyond Brilliant, Camp Hope, Cathkin Peak, Flashiest, Hudson Ridge, It Can Be Done, Lincoln Hawk, Santin, Subconscious, Team Merchants, and Zoffarelli.
John Velazquez will be in town to ride Lincoln Hawk, who worked five furlongs on turf on Sunday morning at Del Mar in 1:04 for trainer Richard Baltas. Cathkin Peak, trained by Phil D’Amato, worked five furlongs on turf in 1:02.20.
Subconscious, trained by Richard Mandella, worked five furlongs in 1:00 on the main track under regular rider Juan Hernandez on Sunday morning. He is the best of the locals, having won the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita in his last start.
The Matriarch, at one mile, looks like it will have a smaller field when entries are taken on Thursday. Zofelle and Princess Grace, second and third, respectively, behind Going Global in the Grade 2 Goldikova on the Breeders’ Cup undercard Nov. 6, both remained here for the Matriarch. Both worked a half-mile on the turf Sunday, with Zofelle timed in 51.20 seconds for Brendan Walsh, and Princess Grace in 50.80 seconds for Mike Stidham.
Others expected for the Matriarch include Bodhicitta, Mucho Unusual, Tapwater, and Warren’s Showtime.
Velazquez rides Bodhicitta, who worked five furlongs on turf in 1:04.20 on Sunday morning for Baltas.