Del Mar
Vyjack to challenge Masochistic in Pat O'Brien
Benoit & Associates Masochistic earned a 107 Beyer Speed Figure for his win in an optional claimer Friday.
DEL MAR, Calif. – With Grade 1 Bing Crosby winner Lord Nelson awaiting the fall Santa Anita meeting, Masochistic will head up a small field in the Grade 2, $200,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes going seven furlongs on Saturday.
Masochistic returned from an eight-month layoff to win an optional-claiming race at Santa Anita on July 8. His rivals are expected to include Vyjack, who will be making his first start in California and his first since being transferred to trainer Phil D’Amato. Vyjack worked a half-mile on Monday in 48.40 seconds.
Lord Nelson had an easy five-furlong work Monday in 1:02.40.