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Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we look at the smart move made by trainer John Sadler in the San Diego Handicap.

Sadler had three horses in Saturday’s Grade 2 $200,000 San Diego Handicap and you had to figure they all wouldn’t go. Conventional wisdom was that Accelerate, seemingly his best, would be one of those to run.

But Sadler scratched Accelerate and Curlin Rules. That left Catalina Cruiser as his lone entrant.

Guess he got that right.

Catalina Cruiser, who like Accelerate is owned by Kosta and Pete Hronis, cruised (sorry for the obvious word play) to a dominating win in the San Diego by 6 3/4 lengths. And he looked even better doing it.

Now this could lead to a possible showdown with his stablemate Accelerate in the Pacific Classic on Aug. 18. If they decide to split the two, Accelerate could end up in the Whitney on Aug. 4 at Saratoga.

Any way you look at it, Sadler knew what he had in Catalina Cruiser, a slow developing colt that is undefeated at 4-year-old after only three races.

Catalina Cruiser paid $4.60, $2.80 and $2.40. Dr. Dorr finished second and Dabster was third.

“The nickname of this horse around the barn is ‘The best horse nobody’s heard of.’ Today we changed it to ‘the next big thing,’” Sadler said. “We’ve loved this horse from day one. He’s showed a lot of potential, but we’ve had to be patient with him. [Saturday] he showed us what we thought he could do. We’re not going to run two in the Pacific Classic. We’re going to run one horse to be determined. We’re going to see how these horses (Accelerate, Catalina Cruiser) train over the track and pull up.”

Drayden Van Dyke was the winning jockey.

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Del Mar review

In the second stakes race, the $200,000 San Clemente Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going a mile on the turf, War Heroine ran a perfect race on the front and had enough left in the stretch to hold off Ollie’s Candy by a neck.

War Heroine paid $13.80, $7.80 and $4.80. Ollie’s Candy was second and Ms Bad Behavior was third.

“She’s an extremely fast filly,” winning jockey Tyler Baze said. “But it isn’t so much about the speed, it’s about how they’re expanding their energy. She was doing it well [Saturday]. I knew she was good for a mile, she’s all heart.”

Peter Miller was the winning trainer.

“I didn’t think we’d be on the lead and I told Tyler she doesn’t need to be, but if they give it to you take it,” Miller said. “He rode a super race, got reasonable fractions and she really kicked home strong. I see no reason not to try her in the Del Mar Oaks.”

Del Mar preview

There are two stakes races on Sunday’s nine-race card beginning at 2 p.m. The best of the two is the Grade 2 $250,000 Eddie Read Stakes, for older horses going 1 1/8 miles on the turf. It’s really a wide-open race and a field of 11.

Itsinthepost, for Jeff Mullins and ridden by Baze, is the 5-2 favorite. He’s won four of his last five, all of those victories at Santa Anita. His last race was a 1 ¼-length win in the Charlie Whittingham Stakes. He’s run nine of his 35 races at Del Mar, but never won there. Itsinthepost has 10 lifetime wins.

Hunt, an Irish bred, is the 3-1 second favorite for Phil D’Amato and Flavien Prat. He won this race last year in addition to the Del Mar Handicap. Hunt has a two-race winning streak taking the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita and the Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar. He won three of his nine Del Mar races and nine of 27 lifetime.

Also to contend with should be Sharp Samurai, at 7-2, for Mark Glatt and Gary Stevens. He has won five of his last six including three graded stakes victories. He’s seven of 11 lifetime and two for three at Del Mar.

The race should go off around 5:35 p.m.

The other stakes is the $75,000 Wickerr Stakes for older horses going a mile on the turf. Conquest Tsunami is the 7-2 favorite. He’s well traveled having run his last two races at Belmont and in Dubai. This will be his first start at Del Mar. He is trained by Miller and ridden by Victor Espinoza.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 7, 9, 7, 12 (1 also eligible), 10 (1 AE), 14, 7, 11, 11.

Big Races review

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Saturday.

Parx: $100,000 Crowd Pleaser Stakes, Penn-bred 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: Sweet Bye and Bye ($5.80)

Finger Lakes: $150,000 New York Derby, NY-bred 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Sea Foam ($6.20)

Parx: $100,000 Marshall Jenney Stakes, Penn-bred 3 and up, 5 furlongs on turf. Winner: Fielder ($35.20)

Woodbine: Grade 3 $125,000 Ontario Colleen Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Got Stormy ($3.20)

Saratoga: Grade 3 $150,000 Sanford Stakes, 2-year-olds, 6 furlongs. Winner: Sombeyay ($7.70)

Saratoga: Grade 1 $500,000 Diana Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Winner: Sistercharlie ($4.30)

Del Mar: Grade 2 $200,000 San Diego Handicap, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Catalina Cruiser ($4.60)

Del Mar: Grade 2 $200,000 San Clemente Stakes, fillies, 3-years-old, 1 mile on turf. Winner: War Heroine ($13.80)

Big races preview

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Sunday. All times PDT:

1:41 Woodbine: Grade 2 $175,000 Nijinsky Stakes, 3 and up, 1 ½ miles on turf. Favorite: Vettori Kin (2-1)

2:40 Saratoga: Grade 1 $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks, fillies 3-years-old, 1 1/8 miles. Favorite: Monomoy Girl (4-5)

5:30 Del Mar: Grade 2 $250,000 Eddie Read Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/18 miles on turf. Favorite: Itsinthepost (5-2)

Bob Ike’s DMR pick of the day

EIGHTH RACE: No. 5 Sharp Samurai (7-2)

It looks like any of the big three can win the Eddie Read but let's go with the better of the three prices in Sharp Samurai. The Glatt-trained gelding came back with a good victory and loves this course, so let's take him right back in this Grade 2 event.

Saturday’s result: Ms Bad Behavior got a perfect trip but couldn't get to the winner and was outkicked for second near the wire.

Bob Ike is a Partner/VP of Horsebills.com (here's a video) and the proprietor of BobIkePicks.com (full-card picks, 3 Best Plays and betting strategy).

Ed Burgart LA play of the day

EIGHTH RACE: No. 4 McFarland USA (8-5)

The morning-line price isn’t enticing but McFarland USA is in the concluding leg of the Pick 4/Pick 6 and looks extremely tough to beat. He missed the break while sixth in the Vandy’s Flash Handicap three weeks ago when facing the streaking winner A Political Lady, who was posting her third stakes victory this year. This gelding lost a narrow photo at tonight’s 330-yard distance two outs ago and is only one of two multiple winners in this field. The other two-time winner, Corona Thru Fire, has scored both his wins at 300 yards.

Final thoughts

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Any thoughts, drop me an email at [email protected] or feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa

And now the stars of the show, Saturday’s results and Sunday’s entries.

CHASIN LUCAS had good early speed and dueled three deep then took the lead outside a rival leaving the turn, kicked clear under urging in the stretch and proved best. COCO KISSES broke out some and was bumped in a bit of a slow start, went up inside to duel for the lead, came a bit off the rail leaving the turn, continued inside in the stretch and was clearly second best. INTO RISSA also bumped in a bit of a slow start, saved ground chasing the pace, came out some into the stretch and gained the show. DESIRED EDGE stalked between horses then inside on the turn and into the stretch, came a bit off the inside in midstretch and lacked a rally.. ROCKETANN chased off the inside then outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the necessary response. QUEEN SHELLY ANN stalked outside a rival then three deep leaving the turn and into the stretch and weakened. JABBER NOW had speed off the rail then dueled between horses, dropped back outside foe then between rivals leaving the turn and gave way.

GRINGO STAR dueled three deep between foes then between horses midway on the turn, inched away off the rail leaving the turn and drew clear under urging. GRYFFINDOR chased inside then off the rail, came out on the turn and three deep into the stretch and gained the place. WHERESTHEMONEYJACK stalked between horses early then off the rail, came out in the stretch and edged a foe late for the show. SON OF A ROYAL pressed the pace five wide on the backstretch and four wide midway on the turn, stalked outside leaving the turn and four wide into the stretch and was edged for third. MICHAEL MUNDO settled outside then off the rail, came four wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. GHOSTLY WHO had good early speed and dueled between horses, stalked a bit off the rail leaving the turn and into the stretch and weakened. SMUGGLER UNION prompted the pace four wide between foes then three deep between rivals midway on the turn, stalked leaving the bend, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened. TWO HAIL MARYS went up inside to press the pace, fell back inside on the turn and weakened in the drive.

HORSE GREEDY dueled three deep between horses, stalked under urging midway on the turn, re-bid three wide into the stretch, gained the advantage outside foes in midstretch and held gamely between foes under urging. CONQUEROR stalked outside then three deep to the stretch, came out in midstretch and finished willingly outside foes. ALLABOUTACTION had speed between horses then dueled inside, inched away briefly on the turn, came a bit off the rail into the stretch, fought back just off the inside through the drive and continued gamely to the wire. JAN'S RESERVE dueled between horses then stalked between foes midway on the turn, re-bid between rivals into and through the stretch and was outfinished late. MALIBU ALEX stalked a bit off the rail then between horses to the stretch, came out past midstretch and did not rally. GRAYCASTER pressed the pace four wide then stalked outside leaving the turn, bid again four wide into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. K THIRTY EIGHT close up stalking the pace inside, continued along the rail on the turn and in the stretch and also weakened in the final furlong.

VASILIKA stalked three deep then outside a rival, bid three wide on the second turn, took a short lead outside the pacesetter nearing midstretch and won clear under urging. BARLEYSUGAR (IRE) chased inside then just off the rail leaving the backstretch, went three deep on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and edged rivals for the place. MELISSA JANE (GB) chased between rivals, came three deep into the stretch and just missed second. SHEEZA MILKY WAY angled in and settled off the pace inside, came out on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and was edged for a minor award outside foes. ALGORHYTHMIC sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, fought back on the backstretch and second turn and in the stretch and weakened late. MOONLESS SKY three deep early, chased outside a rival then three wide leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. PRICEDTOPERFECTION settled outside a rival chasing the pace, continued between foes into the stretch and lacked the necessary late kick. SHENANDOAH QUEEN saved ground stalking the pace, continued inside on thee second turn and into the stretch and weakened. DREAMARCHER also saved ground chasing the pace, came out off heels for room in deep stretch and did not rally. SHY CARMELITA stalked outside a rival then off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter on the backstretch and between foes on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the drive, then was unsaddled at the end of the stretch and vanned off.

MASON DIXON chased outside a rival or off the rail, came out into the stretch and rallied under urging to get up four wide late. SEVEN SCENTS settled off the inside, angled in on the turn, came out in upper stretch and dove to the rail in deep stretch and finished well. NO TREBLE had speed between foes then dueled outside a rival, fought back leaving the turn and in the stretch and held third between foes late. FORTNITE DANCE three deep early, stalked off the rail, bid three wide into the stretch to gain the lead, battled outside a foe and was edged for the show between rivals late. LINEMAKER broke a bit slowly then ducked in and dropped back, saved ground off the pace, came out into the stretch and lacked a rally. CARBON ZERO also a bit slow to begin, settled off the inside, went outside a rival leaving the turn and three wide into the stretch and was not a threat. ITS GONNA HURT had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back leaving the turn and into the stretch and weakened. THE CREEP stalked a bit off the rail, came out leaving the turn and four wide into the stretch and weakened. KNIGHT'S CROSS chased outside a rival then a bit off the rail, angled in on the turn and also weakened.

TAMMY'S WINDOW chased outside a rival, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch, bid four wide in midstretch under urging to gain the lead in deep stretch and held gamely. MEAL TICKET saved ground off the pace, awaited room inside on the second turn and into the stretch, got through along the rail in midstretch then rallied between foes late. VEXATIOUS stalked the pace inside, came out for room in midstretch and finished well between foes. GOSEECAL angled in and settled inside, came out on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and closed gamely. LIBBY'S TAIL had speed between horses then stalked inside, awaited room in upper stretch, bid inside past midstretch and continued willingly. JAZAALAH chased three deep to the stretch, bid between rivals in midstretch, fought back in deep stretch and continued gamely to the wire. PRINCESS ROI broke through the gate before the start, sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, responded when challenged on the backstretch, inched away again on the second turn, came a bit off the rail in the drive, was between foes past midstretch and weakened late. HALO DARLIN settled inside then a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch, swung four wide into the stretch and improved position. COPPER FEVER stalked outside a rival then between horses leaving the backstretch and on the second turn, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. PROUD 'N' READY between horses early, chased outside a rival, went four wide on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and did not rally. GLORIOUS HOUR pulled between foes and was in tight into the first turn, chased outside a rival then between foes and weakened in the drive. RED LIVY (IRE) pulled four wide early then stalked outside a rival, bid outside the pacesetter on the backstretch and second turn, tracked between foes leaving the second turn, dropped back in the stretch and also weakened.

CATALINA CRUISER sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, met a pair of bids on the backstretch, inched away again on the second turn and drew off under urging then steady handling late. DR. DORR stalked a bit off the rail, bid between foes on the backstretch, continued just off the inside on the second turn and held the place. DABSTER close up stalking the pace outside then off the rail, continued alongside a rival on the backstretch and off the inside on the second turn, came three deep into the stretch and edged a rival for third. TWO THIRTY FIVE stalked outside then bid three deep leaving the backstretch, continued off the inside on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and lost third late. HARLAN PUNCH four wide early, angled in on the first turn and stalked inside, dropped back on the second turn and gave way.

WAR HEROINE angled in and had speed outside a rival then inched away and set the pace inside, continued inside in the stretch and held on gamely under urging. OLLIE'S CANDY angled in and chased outside a rival, went three deep on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and closed willingly. MS BAD BEHAVIOR had speed inside then stalked the winner, continued a bit off the rail on the second turn, bid outside that one past midstretch and held third between foes. AHIMSA saved ground chasing the pace, went between horses into and on the second turn then found the rail into the stretch and finished with interest inside. FLAMMETTA saved ground stalking the pace, split rivals in deep stretch and was outfinished. ANIMOSITY angled in and settled off the pace inside, came out into the stretch and could not summon the needed late kick. WEST PALM BEACH (IRE) angled in and chased a bit off the rail then inside, went between foes on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. MS PEINTOUR settled outside a rival then inside on the second turn and into and through the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. MISS SIENNA (GB) stalked three deep then outside a rival, came out into the stretch and weakened. LEXINGTON GRACE (IRE) angled in on the first turn and chased inside, went outside a rival on the second turn, came out into the stretch and did not rally. DULCE RIDE stalked three deep, came four wide into the stretch and weakened. ROCKIN READY close up stalking the pace inside then between horses on the second turn, weakened in the drive. PURSUING THE DREAM (IRE) angled in and settled off the pace outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and did not rally.

ROWAYTON had speed outside then dueled alongside a rival, took a short lead leaving the turn, kicked clear under some urging while drifting to the inside in the stretch and proved best. DUELING stalked a bit off the rail then between foes, continued inside on the turn, came out under a crack of the whip in the drive then had the rider lose the stick a sixteenth out and gained the place. PIRATE'S PUNCH had speed inside then saved ground stalking the pace, continued along the rail in the stretch and just held third. SYNTHESIS stalked between horses then off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and was edged for the show. TRUCK SALESMAN angled in between foes early then dueled a bit off the rail, fought back leaving the turn and weakened in the stretch. YAK chased between horses then off the rail, angled in some on the turn and did not rally. MAGNIFICENT MCCOOL chased three deep then off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and weakened. GRAND MEISTER stalked the pace four wide then three deep on the turn and into the stretch and also weakened. FROSTED GRACE broke a bit in the air and slowly, pulled along the inside and steadied off heels into the turn, went outside a rival on the turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked a further response. BUSTIN APRILSTONES saved ground chasing the pace, dropped back on the turn and gave way.

CAMINO SONG (IRE) chased outside a rival then inside on the backstretch, went outside a foe on the second turn, came out in the stretch and rallied under urging to the front in deep stretch to prove best. INNOCENT dueled three deep, had a rival slip away in the stretch, re-bid between foes in deep stretch and held second. DEARBORN had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away a bit off the rail in the stretch, fought back in deep stretch and held third. AMUSE chased between horses then outside a rival, angled in entering the stretch and was edged for the show. CHIFFON settled outside a rival then a bit off the rail, split horses in midstretch and was outfinished. STAR KISSED saved ground chasing the pace, steadied in tight early on the second turn, came out some in the stretch and lacked the needed rally. PARTY DANCER angled in and stalked three deep then outside a rival leaving the second turn, came three wide into the stretch and weakened. RESOLU chased inside then off the rail, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. STELLA SWEEPER settled off the pace inside and saved ground to no avail. TEN COUNT OUT had good early speed and dueled between horses, dropped back in the stretch and weakened. TAKE A LEAP dipped her head then hopped at the start and lost the rider. The stewards conducted an inquiry into the start before ruling TAKE A LEAP was the cause of her own trouble.