Aragorn Is the One to Beat

A winner of consecutive Grade I races at Hollywood Park and Del Mar, Aragorn will be favored to win the $400,000 Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Handicap today at Del Mar.

Trained by Neil Drysdale, the 4-year-old Giant’s Causeway colt won the Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile by 1 3/4 lengths May 29 in Inglewood, then was even more impressive when making his Del Mar debut in the longer Eddie Read Handicap on July 23.

The 3-2 favorite against six opponents, Aragorn, an Irish-bred, won by four lengths, setting a course record in the process. He ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:44.79, breaking the mark of 1:45.85 set by Willow O Wisp when he won the Del Mar Derby on Sept. 5, 2005.

Corey Nakatani will again be aboard Aragorn in the Grade II as the chestnut aims for his fifth win in 12 starts.

The Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Handicap will also feature the return of Laura’s Lucky Boy, who has been idle since finishing far back in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Oct. 29 at Belmont Park.

Laura’s Lucky Boy, a 5-year-old Theatrical horse, has won three of four at today’s distance and will be ridden by Norberto Arroyo Jr.

Race of the day: Fifteen Rounds, an eight-time winner at Arlington Park, is one of nine scheduled to run six furlongs in the $150,000 Arlington Sprint Breeders’ Cup Sprint Handicap today. Chris Emigh will ride the 6-year-old Fit To Fight gelding for owners Ken Meeker and Carson Springs Farm and trainer Christine Janks in a field that also includes Coach Jimi Lee, Junior College, Kelly’s Landing and Elusive Jazz.

One for the road: Ashkal Way will get a realistic pace to chase in the $200,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap today at Saratoga and can pick up his fourth win in five starts. Garrett Gomez will ride the 4-year-old Ashkalani gelding in the Grade II at 1 1/8 miles on turf. In his last start, Ashkal Way was second to Remarkable News in the Fourstardave Handicap on Aug. 6.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Caped For Flight and Marked Warrior in the seventh; Aragorn in the eighth; Desert Smoke, Way To Shine and Stock Split in the ninth; and Racingtothemoon, Amiga Mia and Emotion in the 10th.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 1/88. Money: (previous day/meet total): $10.20/$488.80. Total money bet: $544.