Del Mar Notebook

Grade 1 winner Bilo (Bertrando) went sour in a fast way for Mike Mitchell,

and we found it totally classless to see a Grade 1 hero dumped into a $25,000

claimer and having to be vanned off after showing nothing in the race. The

people involved with the animal had to have a clue that the gelding wasn't right

after dropping him severely in class in recent times, and Bilo deserved a more

fitting ending, if this was indeed his final start.

Meet Totals

Post Positions (wins)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (8/14)

7TH - The Howard Zucker-trained QUEEN OFTHE CATSLE (Tale of the

Cat) was a convincing winner in here and has run a pair of big efforts at this

meeting. The fleet filly is stakes quality and deserves a shot at black-type

foes.

Friday (8/15)

8TH - We find it interesting that Bob Baffert claimed sixth-place

finisher HURLEY'S WAY (Siphon [Brz]) in here in his debut, so this one goes onto

our Horses to Watch list. The first-timer took some money and offered only a slight

kick in the end, but improvement is expected.

6TH - CASINO GOLD (Proud Citizen) did nearly everything right in her debut

for Baffert and appears to have a good deal of quality to her. The well-meant

juvenile was well clear of third beneath David Flores and should improve in her

next affair.

Sunday (8/17)

3RD - TIMIAS (Seeking the Gold) made pretty easy work of what we think are a

pair of nice runners in second and third, and the John Sadler trainee is

certainly one to keep an eye on in his next engagement. The six-year-old is

getting better.

4TH - WINGS OF AN ANGEL (Cherokee Run) made a sustained run in this one and the

Gallagher pupil will not be 8-1 next out    .

6TH - STREET HERO (Street Cry [Ire]) could have won this race if not for

taking the inside path throughout this contest and will break his maiden before

long. The juvenile colt has put together three solid races in succession and

should enjoy added ground.

Monday (8/18)

3RD - It's seems that EVALUATE (Ire) (Fusaichi Pegasus) will never get it

done, but the Baffert trainee is always in the mix and is a must-use in your

exotics. The five-year-old maiden has burned a lot of money in his career.

5TH - DREAMED DAY (Silver Deputy) was given a poor ride by Flores in here, chasing swift fractions while in between runners. The sophomore

colt has a nice closing kick that seems well suited to Polytrack - tab him next

out with smarter handling.

7TH - We mentioned DELTA STORM (Storm Boot) in our Churchill

Notebook in past months, and it was good to see the Mitchell claim come

through in his second try on the West Coast. The talented turf sprinter was

looked in the eye in here and wouldn't be denied in a courageous tally.

A Look Ahead

The $1 million Pacific Classic S. (G1) will be held on Sunday as part of a

four graded race day of action. Also contested will be the $400,000 Del Mar Mile (G2), $300,000 Pat O'Brien

H. (G2) and $200,000 Rancho Bernardo H. (G3).

Saturday's feature is the grassy, $250,000 Del Mar H. (G2).