The Factor to lock horns with Smiling Tiger in the Grade 1 Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar
Bob Baffert prefers racing on dirt over synthetic surface and he certainly hasn’t been enamored by the Saratoga track this summer, one reason why he kept his 3-year-old colt, The Factor, at Del Mar to run him in the Grade 1 $250,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes.
If Baffert was at peace with the Saratoga track and had an extra week to train The Factor, he would’ve shipped him to Saratoga to meet Uncle Mo in the Grade 1 King’s Bishop Stakes, but his decision is crystal clear and there are no two ways about it.
The Factor will not have shortage of competition in the 7 furlong test, because the son of War Front will be confronting the West Coast star, Smiling Tiger.
The son of Hold That Tiger, Smiling Tiger, will be eager to take the next step towards his ultimate goal, the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint in November at Churchill Downs.
Smiling Tiger will face five other foes in the Pat O’Brien at Del Mar, the same race that Smiling Tiger ran third in last year.
On the other hand, The Factor will be making sort of a comeback, because it will be his first race in four months when he goes out for the 28th August 7 furlong dash.
Out of Greyciousness by Miswaki, The Factor was sidelined for four months because of a minor ankle fracture, and he was initially pointed towards the Grade 1 King’s Bishop Stakes, which was going to mark a tough comeback for him.
However, the Pat O’Brien isn’t going to be a catwalk either, as the 3-year-old colt will face older horses for the first time since returning back from injury.
Although Smiling Tiger and The Factor are the top draw for the Pat O’Brien, the son of Cat Dreams, Caracortado, is certainly capable of making some noise in the race.
Caracortado’s status for the race is still uncertain as he is cross entered for the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Handicap on 27 August, 2011.
Others who have an outside chance to win the race include Imponente, who went on to win the Grade 3 Sunset Handicap and Celtic New Year is fully capable of spurring a surprise or two.
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