Proctor has contender in both weekend turf stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – After a suspension of grass racing for the past week, Del Mar is scheduled to conduct racing on the turf this weekend when a pair of grass stakes are slated, and trainer Tom Proctor is eager to run in both.

Proctor has three-time stakes winner Enterprising set to go in the Grade 3, $150,000 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds on Saturday, and the filly Wishing Gate in the Grade 2, $250,000 John C. Mabee Stakes for older females on Sunday.

Proctor has been an outspoken supporter of the new turf course this meet. Del Mar management suspended grass racing twice, most recently for more than a week after an overmatched filly who had not worked since her prior race 28 days earlier suffered a catastrophic injury in a turf sprint.

“I think the turf is fine,” Proctor said Tuesday. “Management has shown no confidence in it. To me, it’s hard, but okay. I’ve walked it a couple of times, and it’s fine. The ones I’ve run on it have come back pretty good.”

Included in that group is Enterprising, who won the opening-day Oceanside Stakes, his fourth win in eight starts.

“He’s won three stakes, but hasn’t won a graded stakes,” Proctor said. “That’s what we’re trying to do here.”

The La Jolla, at 1 1/16 miles, is also expected to include Argyle Cut, Sammy Mandeville, Sawyer’s Hill, Schoolofhardrocks, and Tonito M.

Wishing Gate won the Grade 2 San Clemente here last summer. She comes off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Royal Heroine at Santa Anita on June 28. Gary Stevens rode Wishing Gate in her last two starts, but she will have a new rider because Stevens is out to have knee-replacement surgery. As of Tuesday, Proctor said he had yet to decide who would be on Wishing Gate.

Others under consideration for the 1 1/8-mile Mabee include Charlie Em, Cozze Up Lady, Every Way, Miss Ellany, Moulin de Mougin, Pearlside, Stormy Lucy, and possibly Miss Serendipity.