Van Dyke closing on first Del Mar riding title

DEL MAR, Calif. – With three wins Sunday, including a meet-leading ninth stakes victory among jockeys, Drayden Van Dyke is heading into the final six days of the Del Mar season holding a four-win lead over Flavien Prat in his quest for his first riding title here.

“I don’t want to count my eggs before they’re hatched,” Van Dyke said. “I’m just trying to stay focused and ride every race the best I can.”

Van Dyke has won five stakes in concert with trainer John Sadler, including with True Royalty in the Torrey Pines on Sunday. They also combined to win the Pat O’Brien on Saturday with Catalina Cruiser, who gave them a San Diego victory earlier in the meet.

While Sadler has won more money than any trainer this meet, it is Peter Miller who is running away with the training title, a lead he extended with four wins on Sunday. He has 28 wins this meet, 12 clear of second-place Doug O’Neill. Sadler is third with 15. Miller was the winningest trainer here in the summer of 2012, and tied in 2014 with Jerry Hollendorfer.