Thursday, August 23, 2012

Dhaamer, Interaction Top Del Mar ‘Cap Field

Irish-bred Dhaamer and Argentine import Interaction, both major stakes-winners in their careers, will pack co-highweight of 120 pounds Saturday (Aug. 25) in Del Mar’s most historic stakes event, the 73rd running of the Grade II $200,000 Del Mar Handicap at a mile and three-eighths over the infield Jimmy Durante Turf Course.

The Del Mar Handicap is a “Win and You’re In” event in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series wherein the winner Saturday will automatically earn a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita Saturday, November 3.


Dhaamer, winner of the Round Table and Sunset Handicaps at a mile and one-half on grass in his last two starts at Betfair Hollywood Park, and Interaction, runner-up to champion Acclamation in the Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar this summer, head a field of nine older Thoroughbreds in the Del Mar Handicap, inaugurated during the seaside track’s first meeting in l937.

Dhaamer, a five-year-old gelding by Dubai Destination, will have Garrett Gomez aboard for trainer Mike Mitchell, while Brice Blanc will handle Interaction, winner of Argentina’s biggest race, the Grade I Carlos Pellegrini in 2009, for Hall of Fame conditioner Ron McAnally.

Others in the well-matched field are Casino Host, 119, Joe Talamo; Temple’s Coor, 116, Eswan Flores; Worth Repeating, 116, Martin Pedroza; Hog’s Hollow, 116, Victor Espinoza; Brushburn, 116, Corey Nakatani; Dynamic Host, 118, David Flores, and Fire With Fire, 116, Martin Garcia.

Post-time for the first of ten races will be 2 p.m.

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