Downthedustyroad Seeks Just a Little Adoration

A winner of three of five starts against Arkansas breds, Downthedustyroad will try for her first victory outside her home state in the $85,000 Adoration Handicap today at Del Mar.

Named in honor of the upset winner of the 2003 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita, the Adoration drew five other fillies and mares and will be run at one mile.

Purchased privately by trainer Bob Baffert for Zayat Stables LLC after she won an optional claimer at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., on April 12, Downthedustyroad finished a distant third in the Hollywood Breeders’ Cup Oaks on June 11 at Hollywood Park in her first race in California.

She chased wire-to-wire winner Hystericalady for most of the way before weakening to finish third, but was seven lengths clear of the fourth-place finisher in the Grade II.

In the Adoration, Downthedustyroad, a 3-year-old daughter of Storm And A Half, should find herself in front versus Gn. Group Meeting, Tanta Suerte, Neuilly, Revealed and Cyber Slew. Victor Espinoza, the meet’s leading rider, will be aboard Downthedustyroad.

Neuilly, who will break directly outside of Downthedustyroad, will be seeking her second victory of the meet and third in four starts in the U.S.

Owned by breeder Stud TNT and trained by Bobby Frankel, Neuilly won an optional claimer on Aug. 2. Alex Solis will be aboard.

Race of the day: Meribel, an impressive allowance winner on July 30 in her first start on the Saratoga turf, will try for another in the $70,000 Dynasty today. Garrett Gomez will again ride the 3-year-old Peaks And Valleys filly for owner-breeders Arthur Hancock III and W. Clay Catesby in the 1 1/16 -mile race that drew eight others.

One for the road: Double Domer makes his first start since Nov. 4 at Santa Anita and first for trainer Art Sherman and should show big improvement in the sixth race today at Golden Gate Fields. Roberto Gonzalez, who wins at a high percentage when riding for Sherman, has the call on the 3-year-old Kessem Power colt and first time Lasix user for owner-breeder Romajuby Thoroughbreds LLC in the $32,000 maiden claimer at six furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using One Sock Wonder, Luis’s Especial and Carman in the first, Lady Gamer and Oliver Travels in the second and Record and Smokey Stover in the third.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 3/98. Money: (previous day/meet total): $19.40/$563.40. Total money bet: $630.