Del Mar H.

A field of 12, including two also-eligibles, has been entered to go 11-grassy

furlongs on Sunday in the $250,000 Del Mar H. (G2), and RUNAWAY DANCER (Runaway

Groom) looks ready to add another graded victory to his resume. The Dan

Hendricks charge captured the Jim Murray Memorial H. (G3) at Hollywood Park

earlier this season, and most recently ran a close dead-heat second in the

Sunset Breeders' Cup H. (G2). He earned a stellar 107 BRIS Late Pace figure for

his runner-up finish and has been training forwardly over Del Mar's turf to

prepare for this one. Garrett Gomez stays in the saddle, and Runaway Dancer

could run away with the win here.

ALWAYS FIRST (GB) (Barathea [Ire]) steadily moved up from the back during the

Sunset last out to win by three parts of a length at the wire. Trained by Neil

Drysdale, the four-year-old gelding was making his U.S. stakes debut in that 1

1/2-mile test, and added a first black-type credit to his record. The bay earned

a nice 98 BRIS Speed rating for the Sunset win and will keep Victor Espinoza

aboard for Sunday's run. The pair will be tough to deny nearing the wire.

EXTERIOR (Distant View) also began his U.S. racing career this year, taking

his first start, an allowance, at Santa Anita in early March. Since then, the

Bobby Frankel trainee has been close but never quiet able to get that first

stakes score. He owns a second in the San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2)

and was third to our top pick in the Jim Murray prior to running a close fifth

in the United Nations (G1) two back. The chestnut colt was only three lengths

back in fourth in the Bowling Green H. (G2) last out, earning a 122 Late Pace

rating as well as a 101 Speed figure. With Patrick Valenzuela in the irons,

Exterior could finally earn his first black-type victory.

SARAFAN (Lear Fan) ran second by only a neck in this event last year, and

followed that up with another close runner-up finish in the Clement L. Hirsch

Memorial Turf Championship S. (G1). He continued in that vein at the beginning

of the year, then threw in a couple of uncharacteristic off-the-board finishes

in graded events. The eight-year-old gelding actually crossed under the line

first in the Escondido H. last out, but was disqualified to second. The

uncoupled Drysdale charge has the ability to take this one if he returns to last

season's form. Alex Solis has the call.

LAURA'S LUCKY BOY (Theatrical [Ire]) was transferred to the barn of Richard

Mandella earlier this season. Two back in the

American H. (G2), the bay four-year-old was fifth, just 1 3/4 lengths back of

the winner, and last out he was promoted to first in the Escondido after being

bumped late in the race. Laura's Lucky Boy will be challenging to earn a win

here in the more traditional fashion.

CONTINENTAL RED (Flying Continental), third in the Escondido most recently,

earned his first win since 2003 in the Quicken Tree on June 18, coincidentally

the same race in which he recorded that 2003 score. The nine-year-old chestnut

has found new life this year and will threaten in the top three under Rene

Douglas. CONTINUOUSLY (Diesis [GB]) also recorded his last win in 2003, that

coming as he was moved to first from second in the Hollywood Turf Cup (G1). The

six-year-old hasn't shown quite as much as Continental Red this year, but still

deserves consideration for the bottom of the gimmicks since he's been competing

at the top level in each start.

OUTTA HERE (Dehere) is winless from nine starts on the turf and doesn't look

capable of handling this group of grass veterans. KILKEA CASTLE (Pleasant

Colony) and LEPRECHAUN KID (Alphabet Soup) both look out of their class against

these. We can't recommend. HABANEROS (Tabasco Cat) and NOBLE MASTERPIECE (Regal

Classic) are on the also-eligible list but neither one looks capable of

challenging if he draws in.