Troy, Sorrento headline Sunday action on the coasts

With Jaipur (G1) winner Reef Runner sidelined for the remainder of the season, the older male turf sprint division is looking for a new leader. An opportunity for one to emerge occurs Sunday at Saratoga, in the $300,000 Troy (G2).

John the Beer Man set things up nicely for Reef Runner in the Jaipur, scorching through the first quarter in :21 and the half in :43. The fact John the Beer Man was ultimately beaten by less than a length, in his stakes debut no less, suggests he might be the one to catch in the 5 1/2-furlong Troy.

"It was a big step up in class, but we were cautiously optimistic and quietly confident that he would run a big race, and he really did," trainer Rob Atras said. "It was tough to get beat like that, but considering we were going from two starts off a layoff to a Grade 1, it was a pretty remarkable effort."

Given John the Beer Man’s speed and the presence of other pace elements, Twenty Six Black is sure to attract plenty of support. Second in the Troy last year and a notable presence at Saratoga in recent seasons, Twenty Six Black closed well from off a sizzling pace to take the course-and-distance Harvey Pack S. on July 5.

Doncho, who enters off back-to-back stakes wins at Churchill Downs and Horseshoe Indianapolis, is another likely to attract significant support.

Meanwhile, the racing action at Del Mar on Sunday is highlighted by the $150,000 Sorrento (G3), a six-furlong dash for two-year-old fillies. 

Three Chimneys homebred Ruiva ships west for Wesley Ward after a seven-length debut win at Churchill Downs and a solid third in a 27-filly renewal of the Queen Mary (G2) at Royal Ascot.

Waiting for her are the Bob Baffert-trained Holmby and the Peter Miller pair of Belleza Latina and Crazy Hot Mess, all three last-out graduates.

The Sorrento is the leading prep for the Del Mar Debutante (G1) at the end of the meet.