I'm Smokin should bring closure to familiar rivals

DEL MAR, Calif. – Time for a do-over.

The Graduation Stakes on Aug. 2 at Del Mar provided one of the most unsatisfying results of the season. The original winner, Square Deal, was disqualified and moved back to third, Big Returns got put up, and the horse who was adjudged to be fouled, Pas de Panique, was moved up from third to second.

“It was unfortunate for the winner,” said Mark Glatt, who trains Pas de Panique. “He was clearly the best horse in the race. But he did interfere. My horse probably was going to be second. I thought they made the right call.”

Those three horses will meet again Friday in the $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes, like the Graduation a sprint stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds. Two more exiting the Graduation – Bluegrass Faith and Shady Empire – and six others are signed up for the six-furlong race.

Square Deal landed the outside post in the field of 11 and gets a pace scenario that could mirror the Graduation. He rallied from sixth in the seven-horse field last time and crossed the wire 1 3/4 lengths in front before losing the race in the stewards’ stand. He got a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 69.

“He’s improving, getting better race by race,” said Simon Callaghan, who trains Square Deal. “The race sets up well. There’s lots of speed, which should suit us.”

Norberto Arroyo Jr. was aboard Square Deal in the Graduation, but Flavien Prat, the meet’s leading rider, will be at the controls Friday.

The likelihood of a sharp pace has caused Glatt to consider using different tactics with Pas de Panique, who has been on or near the lead in his three starts, including a sub-22 second opening quarter in the 5-1/2 furlong Graduation.

“At first glance, the race is full of early speed,” Glatt said. “It might be an opportunity to take the horse back and see if he can finish. With all the early speed signed up, his best shot might be to see if he can come from out of it. I don’t want to drag him back, but I wouldn’t want him caught up in the first flight.”

Several others look like top contenders, most notably Phantom Boss, who won the Grade 3 Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs last time out June 29. He owns the top Beyer in the field, a 78 earned when beat maidens June 2 at Santa Anita.

Drippin Sauce powered clear in a starter allowance here Aug. 10 after racing four paths wide on the turn. Tap Back led from start to finish on debut Aug. 16, earning a Beyer of 70. Riding With Dino easily beat maiden claimers last time out and was claimed by the red-hot Bob Hess Jr.

The I’m Smokin goes as race 6 on a seven-race card that begins at 4 p.m. Pacific.