Bodog Beat

Surf Cat is just one this year's Breeders' Cup hopefuls competing in this Saturday's Del Mar feature. (AP Images)

A large contingent of Breeders’ Cup hopefuls will make appearances during the ever-popular Del Mar meeting in Southern California over the coming weeks.

Saturday’s Del Mar feature, the Gr. 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on the Polytrack, has three Breeders’ Cup nominees on its list of starters. Six-time Gr. 2 winner Surf Cat, trained by Bruce Headley, finished third behind recently-retired Heatseeker and Tiago in the Gr. 2 Californian Stakes at Hollywood Park. Eoin Harty-conditioned Well Armed, considered a contender for the Classic and the Dirt Mile, beat Heatseeker in the San Antonio Handicap and followed that win with a third-place finish behind Curlin in the $6 million Gr. 1 Dubai World Cup. Trainer Graham Motion’s speedy Rebellion, winner of Keeneland’s Gr. 2 Commonwealth Stakes and the Hollywood Park’s Gr. 3 Ack Ack Handicap at seven furlongs, will use the race to determine his status for either the Breeders’ Cup Sprint or Dirt Mile.

The San Diego Handicap is part of the “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series and the winner will be guaranteed a spot in the Dirt Mile.

Street Boss, hero of last month’s Gr. 1 Triple Bend Handicap at Hollywood Park will make his Del Mar appearance in the six furlong Gr. 1 Bing Crosby Handicap on July 27. Bruce Headley’s charge is currently the West Coast’s representative on the top-five list of Breeders’ Cup Sprint hopefuls.

Two West-Coast based sprinters with impeccable resumes have resumed training after layoffs and will likely make their returns at Del Mar.

2007 Ancient Title Stakes winner Idiot Proof, on the shelf since finishing second to Benny the Bull in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, and defending Breeders’ Cup Sprint champion Midnight Lute have posted impressive workouts and hope to show up at Santa Anita in what could be the “sprint of the ages.”

Classic hopeful Student Council will attempt to defend his Gr. 1 Pacific Classic title at the seaside track before a start in the Breeders’ Cup’s main event.

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