Thirteen entered for Del Mar Handicap

Irish Surf merits respect if his connections opt for the Del Mar H. over the

Pacific Classic. A two-time winner on turf, the four-year-old Giant's Causeway

colt registered a career-best performance when switching back to Polytrack last

time, running away on the front end to an 8 1/4-length score in the 1 1/2-mile

Cougar II. The Dan Hendricks charge registered a career-best 105 BRIS Speed

rating for his first stakes win and is scheduled to receive a rider switch to

Victor Espinoza.

Grade 1 winner Unbridled Command is a logical contender in his third start of

the season. Winner of the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby in late 2012, the

five-year-old horse made only one start stateside last year, finishing third

behind Point of Entry and Animal Kingdom in the Gulfstream Park H. He's recorded

two unplaced finishes for new trainer Peter Miller but exits a decent fifth in

the Grade 1 Eddie Read, and fitness should no longer be a concern for the honest

gray horse, who capped a five-race win streak in the aforementioned Hollywood

Derby.

Elvis Trujillo, who also rode Irish Surf last time, sticks with Unbridled

Command and the New York-bred adds first-time blinkers Saturday.

Big John B will make his stakes bow in fine form for Phil D'Amato, reeling

off a pair of sharp wins, including a 7 1/4-length score over allowance/optional

claiming foes at Del Mar on July 30. The five-year-old Hard Spun gelding will

retain the services of Hall of Famer Mike Smith.

Grade 2 winner Bright Thought will make his first start for D'Amato. Third

when making his debut over Del Mar's turf in the July 23 Wickerr, the

five-year-old ridgling fits well at this level and will keep Rafael Bejarano in

the saddle.

Drysdale is also responsible for the filly Topic, who exits a good second in

the Grade 3 Robert G. Dick Memorial at Delaware Park. The four-year-old daughter

of Discreet Cat recorded her lone stakes victory over the Del Mar turf last

year, romping by a 3 1/4-length margin over listed competition. Fernardo Perez

picks up the mount.

Other contenders include Last Tycoon winner Quick Casablanca; multiple Grade

2-placed Si Sage; and stakes victor Cogito.

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