Ronald R streaks into Seabiscuit Handicap

DEL MAR, Calif. – Expectations were tempered back in July when Ronald R returned from a layoff of more than a year after being claimed for $40,000, but with three straight wins following 14 months on the sidelines, Ronald R has earned the right to aim high.

On Saturday at Del Mar, where he won twice during the summer meeting, Ronald R will seek his fourth straight victory and try to pull off a mild surprise when he makes his graded stakes debut in the Grade 2, $200,000 Seabiscuit Handicap, for 3-year-old and up grass runners at 1 1/16 miles.

He will be taking on an accomplished field, including Om – runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint – as well as graded stakes winners Cleopatra’s Strike, Next Shares, Prince Earl, and River Boyne, and the progressive Sacred Life.

But, “he deserves the chance, for sure,” his trainer, Ron Ellis, said Thursday morning.

Ronald R was claimed by Jim Harrison’s Hotter Than H Racing in May 2018, but didn’t race again for more than a year, owing to bone bruising and then a minor hiccup when he was close to returning earlier this year. The time off has proved beneficial. Ronald R won a first-level allowance at Del Mar, then a second-level allowance at Del Mar, and most recently the restricted Lure at Santa Anita, defeating Seabiscuit rivals Ritzy A. P., River Boyne, and Andesh.

“I had no idea he’d be in this spot when we were bringing him back,” Ellis said. “Each race he’s just gotten better.”

Ronald R has dropped back and made one run in all three of his victories this year, all with Drayden Van Dyke, who’s back aboard.

“He’s had the benefit of fast paces up front, but I don’t think he needs to be that far back,” Ellis said.

Om figures as the one to catch, being as he exits a sharp second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Sacred Life ships in for trainer Chad Brown. Sacred Life was second in two stakes at Saratoga before capturing a money allowance last time out at Keeneland under Javier Castellano, who’s in for the ride. Sacred Life was second in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch on a soft course, an aspect that could come into play Saturday, as it rained here Wednesday and Thursday.

“I don’t think he’ll have any problem with give in the ground,” Brown said. “I think he’s an improving horse.”

Phil D’Amato sends out the trio of Andesh, Cleopatra’s Strike, and Prince Earl. Cleopatra’s Strike was second to Ronald R on Sept. 2 at Del Mar in his first start in nearly eight months, then won the Grade 2 John Henry last time out. Prince Earl, a close third in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile last time out, won the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile in August.

Majestic Eagle also is entered Saturday in the Grade 3 Berkeley at Golden Gate, but trainer Neil Drysdale on Thursday said, “We hope to run down here.”

The Seabiscuit is race 6 on a 10-race card.