Redattore tries easier spot after loss

DEL MAR, Calif. - Redattore lost his status as the top turf miler in California when he was last of six in the Grade 1 Eddie Read Handicap at Del Mar on July 27.

Redattore's performance in the Eddie Read, won by Special Ring, made his stylish wins in the Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita in March and the Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Mile at Hollywood Park in May seem like a long time ago.

On Wednesday, Redattore returns in a weaker field, starting as the 124-pound topweight and heavy favorite in the $75,000 Live the Dream Handicap on the closing day of the Del Mar meeting.

Later in the program, a field of 10 fillies and mares will start in the six-furlong California Equine Retirement Foundation Handicap. The day's top race is the $250,000 Del Mar Futurity over seven furlongs.

Redattore is an 8-year-old Brazilian-bred who was not nominated for the Breeders' Cup program. With owner Luis Alfredo Taunay unlikely to pay a six-figure supplemental fee, trainer Richard Mandella is not focusing on the Breeders' Cup Mile for Redattore. Instead, Mandella is using the Live the Dream Handicap as a prep for the $300,000 Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita on Oct. 5 and the $400,000 Citation Handicap at Hollywood Park on Nov. 29.

The loss in the Eddie Read was easy for Mandella to dismiss.

"The turf was hard the first week," Mandella said. "I'm not being critical of the surface, but we had just cut a bruise out of his foot, and I think it was bothering him. He seems to be back in great shape."

The Live the Dream drew eight entrants. Redattore, who races on or near the lead, drew the outside post and will be ridden by Alex Solis. He may lead in a race that lacks pace but will be closely pursued by Designed for Luck, who is trained by Vladimir Cerin.

Designed for Luck missed 17 months of racing from March 2002 until August 2003. In his comeback in an allowance race last month, he finished second to Denied but was promoted to first through disqualification.

In the CERF Handicap, Mandella starts Brisquette, who is winless in her last six starts and seeking her first stakes win. Brisquette has started once at this meeting, finishing fourth in the Daisycutter Handicap over five furlongs on turf on Aug. 1.