Crittenden Faces California Chrome In San Diego Handicap

Time/Date - 18.10hrs local time/Saturday, July 23, 2016
Racecourse/Country - Del Mar/USA
Surface/Distance - Dirt/1m 110y

Crittenden takes on G1 Dubai World Cup winner California Chrome in the G2 San Diego Handicap over an extended mile on dirt at Del Mar, USA, on Saturday, July 23.

The Eoin Harty-trained four-year-old made three appearances on turf at the Southern Californian course last year, enjoying a neck victory over a mile in the non-graded Let It Ride Stakes and a good fourth in the nine-furlong G2 Del Mar Derby.

Crittenden had his first start on dirt for 18 months in the non-graded Oak Tree Handicap over an extended mile at Pleasanton on June 25, when he stayed on to take second behind Bronze Star.

Martin Garcia, successful on Crittenden in the Let It Ride Stakes, partners the son of Distorted Humor, who races off 8st 2lb, receives weight from all his six rivals and exits from stall four.

A formidable field for the San Diego Handicap also features Dortmund, winner of two G1 races and third in the 2015 Kentucky Derby, plus G1 Gold Cup At Santa Anita second
Win The Space.

Eoin Harty said: "Crittenden is doing extremely well, which is why we are taking a chance in a race like this. It's a tall order but these are the kind of races he is going to run in now.

"He was never a proven dirt horse but we tried him on the surface last time and he ran a huge race, so I have no hesitation in running him on dirt again.

"Dortmund hasn't run since November and California Chrome is having his first start since winning the Dubai World Cup. I know beating those two is a bit of a pipe-dream but, if ever there was a time to take them on, this is it."