Senor Buscador faces Vron chosen at O’Brien

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Senor Buscador faces Vron chosen at O'Brien

Mr. Buscador can be ranked second only to Anna Thorpedo in the current National Thoroughbred Racing Association poll, but the seven-furlong Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar August 24 is Sprinter Day. And in California today, that means a horse: Vron is selected .

Senor Buscador has been doing well on the world stage. He won the Saudi Cup (G1) this year and finished third in the Dubai World Cup (G1). He will be looking to cut back to seven furlongs for his first race in more than four months, and he could certainly win at Del Mar, having already won the San Diego Handicap (G2) in 2023.

Trainer Todd Fincher will have Senor Buscador in his usual great form. In earnings alone, Senor Buscador is unrivaled among the eight horses, with $12,696,427 in purses. Joe Talamo will ride from the No. 7 spot.

Senor Buscador has started 19 times in his career, with seven wins. Chosen Vron, on the other hand, has 19 wins, 14 of which have come in his last three seasons—all races—with just one loss in that streak, in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1). Chosen Vron is coming off a brilliant win in the six-furlong Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar on July 27, and his lifetime earnings are much more modest, at $1,659,678. But don’t let that fool you: He’s a winning machine.

Trainer Eric Kruljac has run The Chosen Vron a few times since Crosby, most recently running him out by four furlongs in :48 1/5 on August 17.

“It was amazing – he just glided away,” Kruljac said after work.

Hector Berrios has been a regular on The Chosen Vron and will be returning to the O’Brien ship. They drew 6th place.

At Crosby, The Chosen Vron earned an automatic, fee-paying entry into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series. Another Challenge Series race, O’Brien awarded the winner a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

O’Brien’s nominations include Arabian Knight winner of the 2023 Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at Del Mar. But Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm announced on August 19 that the 4-year-old colt of Uncle Mo has retired and will begin his duties there next season.

Instead, Senor Buscador and The Chosen Vron will meet six others, all of whom have much higher prices than the other two.

See through it And Jack is happy returns from Crosby for trainers Genaro Vallejo and Doug O’Neill, respectively. See Through It (Tiago Pereira, 2nd) ran fourth at Crosby. A winner at Golden Gate Fields in 2023, See Through It earlier this year finished third in the Palos Verdes Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. Happy Jack (Edwin Maldonado, 3rd) won the Triple Bend Stakes (G2) on his first start before finishing sixth at Crosby.

Big City Lights trained by Richard Mandella, most recently ran third in Triple Bend. Prior to that, his record was five wins and four runner-ups, all behind The Chosen Vron. Kazushi Kimura will ride from fifth.

Churchill Downs bet winner raging water multiple stakes placed Mitchell’s Elk and the winner claims the optional allowance Great Arrow round the field.