Bob Baffert’s charge Take Control eyeing victory in the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar
The Grade 2, $200,000 San Diego Handicap will raise the level of competition at Del Mar this year, when seven runners will aim to conquer the 1 1/16 mile track on 28th July, 2012, and take home the money.
Among this line-up is the C.R.K Stable owned, Kettle Corn, who is under the training of John Sadler. At age 5, the runner have an easier race now that, the Bob Baffert trained, Game On Dude is out of the picture.
The two previously battled in the Grade 2 Californian Stakes where he finished as a runner-up, and in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup, where he secured a solid third place finish to winner Game On Dude.
With 117 pounds, he will be ridden by jockey Garrett Gomez.
Bob Baffert will look to introduce, Take Control, back to the races, who is returning to the track after a lay-off of over two years. He started his career with a respectable victory in his maiden at Santa Anita in December, 2009.
The son of A. P. Indy, out of mare Azeri, was sidelined after that, because of a shin injury but made a great comeback at the Betfair Hollywood Park when he defeated, Shaun Washington, and completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1 minute and 45.25 seconds in
an Allowance Optional Claimer in June, 2012.
Now, the five-year-old has shed the rust in his comeback race, and for the San Diego Handicap he will ride under jockey Rafael Bejarano.
If he recognizes his true potential, Take Control will bolt through the track and will not stop until he secures the victory. Stable-mate, Prayer for Relief, will also race and will be ridden by Joseph Talamo.
Trained by Martin Jones for owners Hicker or Button Stable, Tres Borrachos will be looking to defend his title. With 116 pounds, he will ride with Mike Smith on his back, with the hope of doing it for the second time around as well.
On 30th July, 2011, he won the title with jockey Rafael Bejarano, by defeating, Kevlar Kid, and completing the race in 1 minute and 42.71 seconds.
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