Sharp workout puts Dortmund in field for San Diego Handicap

DEL MAR, Calif. - Dortmund, unraced since winning the Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes here last November, will be part of a small field challenging Dubai World Cup winner California Chrome in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap next Saturday.

Sunday, Dortmund worked six furlongs in 1:12 in company with a stablemate.

“It’s all set,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “He was cruising.”

Dortmund was troubled by foot issues earlier this year, which kept him out of major stakes at Santa Anita. Dortmund has been in steady training since late May. Owned by Kaleem Shah, Dortmund is the biggest threat to California Chrome in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap, which is run at 1 1/16 miles.

Dortmund has won 8 of 10 starts, including the $1 million Santa Anita Derby in 2015. Dortmund was third to American Pharoah in the 2015 Kentucky Derby.

California Chrome has not raced since the Dubai World Cup in March. He has earned $12,532,650, the highest career earnings of a North American-based Thoroughbred.

California Chrome and Dortmund are part of a projected field of six in the San Diego Handicap. Win the Space and Hard Aces, who were second and third in the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 25, are candidates, along with the longshots Crittenden and Follow Me Crev.

Trainer John Sadler said on Sunday that Hard Aces could start in the $100,000 Cougar II Handicap at 1 1/2 miles on dirt on next Sunday instead of the San Diego.