Native Diver, Cary Grant stakes highlight weekend cards at Del Mar
Two $100,000 stakes for older runners – the Native Diver at 1 1/8 miles and the Cary Grant at seven furlongs – top the upcoming weekend’s fare at Del Mar.
The Native Diver, a Grade 3 race to be run Saturday, is expected to be headed by Midcourt, who won the race in 2019 and was second last year for trainer John Shirreffs. He worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 on Sunday morning at Del Mar.
Bal Harbour, trained by Greg Sacco, is scheduled to ship in for the Native Diver. Joe Bravo has the mount. Wicked Trick also is expected, and Azul Coast and Established are among the other possible runners. Azul Coast worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 on Sunday morning at Santa Anita for trainer Bob Baffert.
Loud Mouth, who won the Cary Grant last year, and Fashionably Fast, the 2019 winner, are both expected for this year’s race on Sunday. Both worked five furlongs on Sunday at Santa Anita. Loud Mouth, trained by Steve Knapp, was timed in 1:00.80. Fashionably Fast, trained by Dean Pederson, went in 1:00.20.
The Cary Grant, for California-breds, is also expected to lure Colt Fiction, None Above the Law, Peaceful Transfer, and Positivity, who worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 at Del Mar on Sunday morning for trainer Doug O’Neill. Several others are possible, including Principe Carlo, Rookie Mistake, Ultimate Bango, and Whooping Jay.