Benoit Photo
Acclimate comes into the 1 3/8-mile Del Mar Handicap off a victory in the 1 3/4-mile San Juan Capistrano (above).
Trainer Phil D’Amato has won six of the last seven runnings of the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap, starting one horse each of the last two years and three in 2018.
Saturday, D’Amato has a more aggressive approach in mind for the leading distance turf race of the track’s summer meeting. As of Monday, D’Amato planned to have three runners – Acclimate, Red King, and Say the Word – and perhaps as many as five with Ready Soul and Red Storm Risen under strong consideration.
“All options are open,” he said.