Pico Central Tries O’Brien

After Grade I victories in the Carter and Metropolitan Handicaps in New York, Pico Central returns to California for the $200,000 Pat O’Brien Breeders’ Cup Handicap today at Del Mar.

Owned by Gary Tanaka and trained by Paulo Lobo, Pico Central hasn’t raced locally since he won the San Carlos Handicap at Santa Anita five months ago. With regular rider Alex Solis sidelined by injuries suffered in a spill earlier in the meet, David Flores will be aboard Pico Central, who began his career in South America.

Seven others were entered in the O’Brien, a Grade II at seven furlongs, but the field already has been reduced and could shrink some more. Disturbingthepeace was scratched on Saturday and Marino Marini is expected to wait for another spot. Hasty Kris could also come out, leaving Domestic Dispute, Amerindio, Kela and Taste Of Paradise as challengers.

Owned by Jay Manoogian and trained by Mike Mitchell, Kela already has a sprint victory at the meet. He won the six-furlong Bing Crosby on July 25 and is the most likely winner if the favorite does not fire.

Race of the day: Roman Ruler, a son of Fusaichi Pegasus who was impressive in his maiden win at Hollywood Park earlier in the summer, will try for his first stakes win against four other 2-year-olds in the $150,000 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar. Corey Nakatani will ride Roman Ruler for trainer Bob Baffert in the 6 1/2 -furlong race, which is a Grade II and a prep for the Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 8. Baffert also will start Actexcutive against Wetherly, Slewsbag and Things Happen.

One for the road: Fresh off a third in the Bernard Baruch Handicap, Irish Colonial should be tough to beat in today’s $100,000 West Point Handicap at Saratoga. Jean-Luc Samyn will ride Irish Colonial for trainer Randy Schulhofer in the 1 1/8 -mile turf race for New York-breds that is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $80,178.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Whata Soldier, Tennessee Smith and Divine Silence in the sixth, Fly By Night, First Draft and Morna’s Girl in the seventh, Pico Central in the eighth and Tizawinner, Intuit, Bear In The Woods and Bullistic in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/54. Money: Previous day/meet total: $14.20/$293.80. Total money bet: $376.