Itsinthepost back in form for Del Mar Handicap

DEL MAR, Calif. –For a few moments in the Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap on July 24 at Del Mar, Itsinthepost looked poised to score an upset over the heavily favored Campaign. Itsinthepost led by a length with a furlong remaining, but could not hold off his rival, who won by 1 1/4 lengths.

Saturday, both are entered in important stakes – Campaign runs in the $1 million Pacific Classic, while Itsinthepost will have his third consecutive appearance in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf.

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Trainer Jeff Mullins did not strongly consider Itsinthepost for the Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles.

“It’s too short,” he said.

A seven-time stakes winner, Itsinthepost will have his 12th start on Del Mar turf in the $250,000 marathon. He has yet to win on the surface, but was second in the 2017 Del Mar Handicap.

The Cougar II Handicap was Itsinthepost’s second race this year, preceded by a last-place finish of 13 in the Grade 2 Wise Dan Stakes on turf June 15 at Churchill Downs, which at 1 1/16 miles was well short of his best trip.

“It was nice to see him show up,” Mullins said of the recent second. “We weren’t hoping for anything in Kentucky.”

Drayden Van Dyke will ride Itsinthepost in the Del Mar Handicap. Owned by Red Baron’s Barn, Itsinthepost will carry 122 pounds, two less than topweight Marckie’s Water, who is likely to go favored.

The winner of the Del Mar Handicap receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita.