Stakes options for Irish Surf

DEL MAR, Calif. – Irish Surf, the winner of the Cougar II Handicap over 1 1/2 miles on Polytrack on July 25, will be entered for Saturday’s $250,000 Del Mar Handicap over 1 3/8 miles on turf as well as Sunday’s $1 million Pacific Classic over 1 1/4 miles on Polytrack. Trainer Dan Hendricks said Wednesday that Irish Surf is more likely to run in the Pacific Classic.

The Del Mar Handicap field is expected to be led by Fire With Fire, who won the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita on May 24, and Quick Casablanca, second in the San Juan Capistrano Handicap at Santa Anita on June 29.

Other expected runners are Aventador, Bench Light, Big John B, Bright Thought, Ice Cream Truck, Topic, and Unbridled Command.