Paynter possible for San Diego at Del Mar next out

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Paynter, winner of the 2012 Haskell Invitational who made a successful return to racing last month after battling colitis and laminitis last summer and fall, may start in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 27.

Owned by Zayat Racing and trained by Bob Baffert, Paynter worked six furlongs in 1:12.60 at Santa Anita on Monday. A 4-year-old, Paynter won an allowance race June 14 in his first start of 2013. He has had three workouts since that race.

Baffert said Tuesday that he wants to see how Paynter trains on Del Mar’s Polytrack synthetic surface before finalizing plans. He said another option is the $200,000 Monmouth Cup at Monmouth Park on July 28. Both the San Diego and Monmouth Cup are run at 1 1/16 miles.