Race Preview: Generous Portion Stakes – Del Mar, August 28, 2013

photo: Matt Carter

The feature race on Wednesday at Del Mar is the 21st running of the Generous Portion Stakes. The six furlong sprint for two-year-old fillies drew a field of six with Sunday Rules the one to beat.

Sunday Rules came in to her debut with decent expectations and was bet to 5-1, a good number for a Mike Mitchell-trained first-time-starter. The daughter of Tribal Rules did not disappoint and won by an easy four and one-half lengths. She has come back to work well, but is giving up a bit of experience to her main rival, Moving Desert.

Moving Desert, a daughter of Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Desert Code, has never been worse than third in her four race career and comes out of a second place finish in the Graduation Stakes against the boys. Moving Desert is drawn outside of her Sunday Rules so she can stalk early and pounce late.

The threat from the back of the pack is Whatsallthedrama, who was very impressive when winning her debut by a widening three and three-quarter lengths. She was full of run early and when jockey Rafael Bejarano found room, Whatsallthedrama exploded down the lane.

Rovenna is an interesting shipping for trainer Michael Machowsky coming in from Calder. The Miami track has produced many winners at Del Mar, including champion Blind Luck.

First post on Wednesday at Del Mar is 5:05 pm ET with the Generous Portion scheduled for 8:10. Earlier on the card in race two, Kristo is supposed to be the real deal for trainer John Sadler. The $500,000 yearling purchase has been lighting up the track in the mornings. The biggest danger is Roundupthelute, a Midnight Lute first-time-starter for trainer Bob Baffert. Look for Roundup early and Kristo late.