Sircat Sally tunes up for San Clemente Handicap
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Del Mar’s grass course was open for workouts for the first time this summer on Monday, and 20 horses drilled on it. Among them was the unbeaten Sircat Sally, who likely will head the field for the Grade 2, $200,000 San Clemente Handicap for 3-year-old fillies on Sunday.
Sircat Sally went six furlongs in 1:16.80 around orange cones, known as dogs, while working evenly with her Jerry Hollendorfer-trained stablemate He Will. Sircat Sally has been assigned the top weight of 125 pounds for the San Clemente.
Her rivals are expected to include Blame It On Alphie, Enthrall, Lull, Madam Dancealot, Pacific Wind, Spy Ring, Storm the Hill, and Youngest Daughter.
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Noted and Quoted, the winner of the Chandelier Stakes last year at age 2, worked very well in company with the older mare Goldy Espony – she was timed in 1:02.20 for five furlongs, the best of nine at the distance – but trainer Bob Baffert said he was not sure if Noted and Quoted would go in the San Clemente, which would mark her turf debut. Noted and Quoted was assigned 121 pounds.
Goldy Espony, previously trained by Chad Brown, was recently transferred to Baffert’s barn. She is a three-time Grade 3 winner in this country.
Also on Sunday is the $75,000-added Wickerr Stakes for older turf runners, which is the intended start for He Will along with A Red Tie Day, Blackjackcat, Forever Juanito, Stormy Liberal, and possibly Abbey Vale and Calculator. Both Hunt and Vyjack are under consideration for that one-mile race as well as the Grade 2, $250,000 Eddie Read at 1 1/8 miles on turf Saturday.
The main event Saturday, and for the weekend, is the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap, whose purse will be increased from $200,000 to $300,000 if Arrogate starts, as expected. Baffert, Arrogate’s trainer, said Monday he is considering Cat Burglar and Collected for the race, too. Accelerate, Dalmore, Donworth and Lindo Amor are expected to run, with El Huerfano and Win the Space possible.
