Baffert, Hernandez Associate on Du Jour in Eddie Learn

Which path will work finest for the July 28 Eddie Learn Stakes (G2T) at Del Mar? 4 horses are popping out of the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park; three final ran within the 1 1/4-mile Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita; and two ship in from the East having most just lately gained on the Learn’s 1 1/8-mile distance.

Higher but, take a look at who Juan Hernandez is driving: Du Jour . True, Du Jour completed third to Learn entrant Johannes  within the Shoemaker. However Hernandez at one time has piloted six of the 9 runners. He will get again aboard Du Jour, with whom he gained the one-mile Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar final 12 months. Subsequently, the Bob Baffert trainee began 4 occasions when partnered with Flavien Prat, who’s driving at Saratoga Race Course this summer season. Prat gained two of these races—the 2023 Del Mar Mile Stakes (G2T) and 2024 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1T).

Hernandez gained Del Mar driving titles in 2023 throughout each the summer season and fall. Although he presently trails Umberto Rispoli by one victory after only one week of the meet, Hernandez definitely may repeat, and Baffert thinks extremely of him.

“He rides with a whole lot of confidence,” Baffert mentioned. “He is a reasonably chill sort of man. Very cool and calm. It is like he actually appreciates his state of affairs, the place he is in. He would not take it with no consideration. Loves what he does and labored laborious all his life to get to this place.”

Tim Yakteen, a former assistant to Baffert, trains Johannes, usually ridden by Rispoli, who’s once more within the saddle. Since late 2022, Johannes has gained 5 consecutive races at Santa Anita: a maiden race and 4 stakes. His solely loss throughout that point got here when fifth within the 2023 American Turf Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs after being bumped initially. Johannes was away from the races for 11 months after that, returning to win the April 4 American Stakes (G3T) and Shoemaker.

“We had excessive hopes for him final 12 months, and we have been in a position to maintain him rather well,” Yakteen mentioned after the American. “He got here again the way in which we wished him to.”

Coach Phil D’Amato has entered three within the Learn: Gold Phoenix , Balnikhov , and Easter . Gold Phoenix and Balnikhov are coming off wins within the Whittingham and 1 1/8-mile Dinner Get together Stakes (G3T) at Pimlico Race Course, respectively. Ultimately summer season’s Del Mar assembly, Gold Phoenix gained the Learn and Del Mar Handicap (G2T), with three losses between these and the Whittingham (one a fourth within the Breeders’ Cup Turf, G1T). Easter most just lately completed sixth within the Shoemaker, however in three earlier begins for D’Amato he gained the 2023 Seabiscuit Handicap (G2T) at Del Mar and at Santa Anita captured the Dec. 26 San Gabriel Stakes (G2T) and ran second to Du Jour within the Kilroe.

The remainder of the sphere consists of There Goes Harvard , fourth within the Shoemaker; Balladeer  and Dicey Mo Chara  popping out of the Whittingham; and Grasp Piece , winner of the 2022 Learn, 2023 Crimson Smith Stakes (G2T) at Aqueduct Racetrack, and most just lately the Fort Marcy Stakes (G2T), additionally at Aqueduct.