There is not any scarcity of contenders in Saturday’s Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes, which attracted a area of eight set to go about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course.
The 3-1 program favourite is Reef Runner for coach David Fawkes. Reef Runner most just lately was disqualified from what would have been his first stakes win within the G3 Green Flash at Del Mar on Aug. 30. In the Green Flash going 5 furlongs on turf, Reef Runner and jockey Paco Lopez crossed the wire first by a nostril over race favourite Motorious, however the stewards dominated that shortly after the break Reef Runner got here in and prompted interference that warranted a disqualification.
Reef Runner, a 5-year-old Florida-bred gelding by The Big Beast has remained in Southern California for the reason that Green Flash. He may have Antonio Fresu aboard within the Eddie D.
Among the opposite key principals are second selection Yellow Card (7-2), First Peace (9-2), Nesso’s Lastharrah (9-2) and Sorrento Sky (5-1).
Yellow Card, skilled by Michael McCarthy, is exiting a second-level allowance win going 5 furlongs on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 23. The Eddie D shall be his third begin following a 10-month layoff.
Last yr, Yellow Card was based mostly with McCarthy’s string in Kentucky. In his solely earlier graded stakes strive, the 4-year-old colt by Lost Treasure was second by a size in final September’s G1 Franklin-Simpson going 6 ½ furlongs on turf at Kentucky Downs.
McCarthy mentioned after a pair of five-furlong turf sprints for Yellow Card on the comeback path, “we’ve been looking forward to stretching him out a little bit.”
Yellow Card may have common rider Kazushi Kimura aboard.
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First Peace, skilled by Mark Glatt, gained final yr’s Eddie D when coming from the tempo off below Mike Smith. This shall be simply his second begin since that victory. Following an 11-month layoff, First Peace returned within the Green Flash the place he endured a tough journey and was by no means issue. He beat only one horse to the wire in a 12-horse area.
“That was kind of a disaster,” Glatt mentioned. “But he should bounce back on Saturday.”
Nessos’ Lastharrah is making his stakes debut for Peter Eurton. The 4-year-old colt by Sharp Azteca shall be chopping again in distance after going gate-to-wire in a second-level allowance at a mile on turf on Aug. 15 at Del Mar.
“I think his tactical speed should play pretty well on the hill,” Eurton mentioned.
Sorrento Sky, skilled by Phil D’Amato additionally endured a tough out within the Green Flash. He was within the first half of the sector early earlier than dropping again on the flip after which ending with curiosity to solely be crushed two lengths.
“We were definitely disappointed,” D’Amato mentioned. “Our game plan might be a little different in the Eddie D. I like our post (4) with this kind of horse. He’s tactical and should be able to save ground as they come down the hill.”
The Eddie D goes because the eighth race with submit time set for 4:38 p.m. The area in submit place order: Reef Runner, Antonio Fresu (3-1); Nesso’s Lastharrah, Hector Berrios (9-2); Mucho Del Oro, Edwin Maldonado (20-1); Sorrento Sky, Umberto Rispoli (5-1); Yellow Card, Kazushi Kimura (7-2); Beyond Brilliant, Ricky Gonzalez (6-1); Kale’s Angel, Juan Hernandez (12-1); First Peace, Mike Smith (9-2).
This story was initially reported by Paulick Report on Sep 26, 2025, the place it first appeared within the News part. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.