Which path will work finest for the July 28 Eddie Learn Stakes (G2T) at Del Mar? 4 horses are popping out of the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park; three final ran within the 1 1/4-mile Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita; and two ship in from the East having most lately received on the Learn’s 1 1/8-mile distance.
Higher but, take a look at who Juan Hernandez is using: Du Jour . True, Du Jour completed third to Learn entrant Johannes within the Shoemaker. However Hernandez at one time has piloted six of the 9 runners. He will get again aboard Du Jour, with whom he received the one-mile Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar final yr. Subsequently, the Bob Baffert trainee began 4 occasions when partnered with Flavien Prat, who’s using at Saratoga Race Course this summer time. Prat received two of these races—the 2023 Del Mar Mile Stakes (G2T) and 2024 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1T).
Hernandez received Del Mar using titles in 2023 throughout each the summer time and fall. Although he at present trails Umberto Rispoli by one victory after only one week of the meet, Hernandez definitely might repeat, and Baffert thinks extremely of him.
“He rides with loads of confidence,” Baffert mentioned. “He is a fairly chill sort of man. Very cool and calm. It is like he actually appreciates his state of affairs, the place he is in. He does not take it without any consideration. Loves what he does and labored onerous all his life to get to this place.”
Tim Yakteen, a former assistant to Baffert, trains Johannes, recurrently ridden by Rispoli, who’s once more within the saddle. Since late 2022, Johannes has received 5 consecutive races at Santa Anita: a maiden race and 4 stakes. His solely loss throughout that point got here when fifth within the 2023 American Turf Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs after being bumped firstly. Johannes was away from the races for 11 months after that, returning to win the April 4 American Stakes (G3T) and Shoemaker.Join BloodHorse Every day
“We had excessive hopes for him final yr, and we have been capable of care for him rather well,” Yakteen mentioned after the American. “He got here again the best way we wished him to.”
Coach Phil D’Amato has entered three within the Learn: Gold Phoenix , Balnikhov , and Easter . Gold Phoenix and Balnikhov are coming off wins within the Whittingham and 1 1/8-mile Dinner Get together Stakes (G3T) at Pimlico Race Course, respectively. Ultimately summer time’s Del Mar assembly, Gold Phoenix received the Learn and Del Mar Handicap (G2T), with three losses between these and the Whittingham (one a fourth within the Breeders’ Cup Turf, G1T). Easter most lately completed sixth within the Shoemaker, however in three earlier begins for D’Amato he received the 2023 Seabiscuit Handicap (G2T) at Del Mar and at Santa Anita captured the Dec. 26 San Gabriel Stakes (G2T) and ran second to Du Jour within the Kilroe.
The remainder of the sphere consists of There Goes Harvard , fourth within the Shoemaker; Balladeer and Dicey Mo Chara popping out of the Whittingham; and Grasp Piece , winner of the 2022 Learn, 2023 Crimson Smith Stakes (G2T) at Aqueduct Racetrack, and most lately the Fort Marcy Stakes (G2T), additionally at Aqueduct.
Entries: Eddie Learn S. (G2T)Del Mar, Sunday, July 28, 2024, Race 9Grade IIT1 1/8mTurf $250,0003 yo’s & up6:00 PM (native)
