Leading Score returns off 20-month layoff

DEL MAR, Calif. – Leading Score, a half-brother to two-time champion Indian Blessing, makes his first start since November 2017 in a one-mile second-level allowance on Wednesday, race 4 on the card.

Leading Score has won twice in six starts, including a one-mile first-level allowance at Los Alamitos in September 2017. He went to the sidelines after finishing sixth in the Damascus at Santa Anita in his next start. Trainer Bob Baffert said Leading Score was off owing to a tibia injury.

“He’s doing well, but he might need a race,” said Baffert.

Leading Score, 5, a homebred for Hal and Patti Earnhardt, is by Midnight Lute out of the mare Shameful.