Stakes selections for Del Mar on Aug. 8

Two stakes races will take center stage during an enticing 10-race card at Del Mar on Sunday.

Race 6 -- Graduation S.

State-bred juveniles will travel 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt in the opening black-type race of the afternoon. I am not sure what #5 Northvale Road (6-1) beat when making his dirt debut at Pleasanton last time out, but I really liked the way the bay did it. The son of Grazen wore down a clear leader to win in going-away fashion, and the Ed Moger pupil continues to improve. Purchased for $10,000 as a yearling, the colt has posted three solid morning drills and figures to receive a healthy pace to rally into in this heat. Tiago Periera will be in the stirrups.

Race 9 -- La Jolla H. (G3)

A total of six sophomores will go 1 1/16 miles on the turf in the headline race of the day. Bob Baffert’s #3 Hudson Ridge (5-2) is a head shy of three consecutive tallies on the turf in preparation of his first attempt at Del Mar. The Cinema S. hero combines good tactical speed with a strong turn of foot, and the son of American Pharoah has trained well as of late, too. Kentucky-bred bay will sit just off of the early pace before being asked for his best by Abel Cedillo.

Race 10 -- Maiden Claiming (Bonus Play)

The finale is a $20,000 maiden claiming event on the dirt at 5 1/2 panels. I really like #7 Hot Pursuit (4-1) as a single to close out the card. Kristin Mulhall trainee has four winning siblings from four to have raced, and the gelding has shown improvement with each lifetime start in advance of his local bow. The son of Heat Shield led to the turn for home before finishing third in a swiftly-run race for the level off the bench last time out, and the bay will be much tougher second time back from a good post slot. Ricardo Gonzalez retains the ride atop the speedy three-year-old.