Bro Lo Ready to Go at Del Mar After Lengthy Injury Hiatus

Bro Lo, who was dominant in a pair of wins last summer, will make his first start in nearly 11 months in the seventh race today at Del Mar.

Owned by breeders David and Billie Farr and trained by Doug O’Neill, Bro Lo, a 3-year-old In Excess gelding, broke his maiden by eight lengths on July 20, 2005, then returned nearly seven weeks later to win the I’m Smokin by 7 1/2 lengths.

Sidelined after undergoing surgery to remove a bone chip from an ankle, Bro Lo will make his first start on the turf this afternoon in the $64,000 optional claimer at five furlongs.

Never headed in his two main track races last year, Bro Lo will have a new rider. Patrick Valenzuela, out for the meet because of back problems, has been replaced by Corey Nakatani.

With the rails out seven feet on the turf course, only six others will be allowed to run: Deputy Kris, Witness This, Balavista, Crosscut, Tomcolee and Hello Fame, making a debut for owner Richard Englander and trainer Jeff Mullins after being claimed for $62,500 on June 21 at Hollywood Park.

Earlier in the card, Captain Squire, scratched from the Wickerr on Saturday, will aim for his ninth lifetime win against four opponents in a $75,000 optional claimer at seven furlongs. The race is the second on the card.

Race of the day: Songster, who defeated Too Much Bling in the Woody Stephens in his last race on June 10 at Belmont Park, will be a short price to beat five foes in the $150,000 Amsterdam today at Saratoga. Edgar Prado will ride the 3-year-old Songandaprayer colt for Darley Stable and trainer Tom Albertrani in the Grade II at 6 1/2 furlongs.

One for the road: Bank President is the controlling speed in the third at Saratoga and can lead throughout under Prado. Rick Dutrow Jr. trains the 4-year-old Boundary gelding for a partnership and Bank President comes off an easy win on June 23 at Belmont Park. He will break from the outside in the $55,000 optional claimer and will be a decent price in a field that includes Wilko and Andromeda’s Hero.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Ella Ella in the fifth, Crept Out and Saratoga’s Magic in the sixth, Bro Lo, Balavista and Hello Fame in the seventh.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 4/35. Money: (previous day/meet total): $22.60/$197.20. Total money bet: $190.