McCarthy confirms Formidable Man for Del Mar Derby

Formidable Man, winner of the restricted Oceanside Stakes at a mile on turf on July 20, will be trainer Michael McCarthy’s sole runner in Sunday’s Grade 2 Del Mar Derby.

McCarthy confirmed Formidable Man’s participation on Wednesday. Earlier this month, McCarthy said that Endlessly, a two-time stakes winner earlier this year, will miss the $300,000 Del Mar Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

“He’s getting a small break,” McCarthy said.

Endlessly was fifth in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby at Aqueduct in his last start on July 6. Earlier this year, he won the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields and the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park in consecutive starts before finishing ninth in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4.

Formidable Man won his first stakes in his eight start in the Oceanside, closing from ninth in a field of 11. The Del Mar Derby field will have one other stakes winner from the current meeting in Stay Hot, the winner of the $100,000 La Jolla Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 4 for his fourth stakes win of the year. Stay Hot is trained by Peter Eurton.

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