Pulpit Rider primed for dream trip

DEL MAR, Calif. – Pace makes the race, so the faster they go early in the $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes on Friday at Del Mar, the better it should be for Pulpit Rider, who will be seeking her first win since last summer here in the one-mile grass race for California-bred females.

“It looks like there’s a lot of speed horses,” said Mike Puype, who trains Pulpit Rider. “It looks like I have the best of the closing horses.”

Pulpit Rider was third in a similar Cal-bred grass stakes at Santa Anita, the Fran’s Valentine on May 12. She owns a win and a second in her two starts going a mile at Del Mar.

“A mile seems like a good distance for her. I think a race like this, against Cal-breds, hits the bull’s-eye for her,” Puype said.

Pulpit Rider most recently finished fourth in the 1 1/4-mile Possibly Perfect at Santa Anita on June 16. She found herself on the lead last time owing to a dawdling pace, but that shouldn’t happen this time.

Pulpit Rider’s Friday opponents Mo See Cal, Coco Kisses, Don’t Sell, and A Walk in the Park all prefer to be on or near the lead when going two turns. Sneaking Out also would figure to be part of the early battle, but she is not certain to run, according to her trainer, Keith Desormeaux.

A field of 10 was entered in the Solana Beach, which goes as race 7 on an eight-race program that begins at 4 p.m. Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Pulpit Rider, by Lucky Pulpit Last 3 Beyers: 86-83-75

◗ Puype’s biggest concern is that the course’s trend last week of carrying speed continues this week, too.

“Jeez, Louise, speed was carrying,” he said. “I’m a little concerned over how quick the course got.”

Sneaking Out, by Indian Evening Last 3 Beyers: 77-84-86

◗ If she starts, it would be her first race against elders, and her first race on turf.

◗ “We’re deliberating whether to run or not,” said Desormeaux, who trains Sneaking Out for Kevin and Kim Nish. “It’s a matter of waiting the extra week to run in the Torrey Pines vs. 3-year-olds, or running against older on turf. I’d like to try. She’s out of a Kitten’s Joy mare. But we’d lose the extra week. So there are a couple of talking points.”

Lynne’s Legacy, by Unusual Heat Last 3 Beyers: 86-82-92

◗ She was fifth in the Possibly Perfect, just a nose behind Pulpit Rider.

◗ Both trainer Doug O’Neill and jockey Rafael Bejarano are having outstanding meetings, and have become a formidable team.

A Walk in the Park, by Unusual Heat Last 3 Beyers: 84-69-74

◗ She is making her third start of the layoff, and though she’s making her stakes debut, she is coming off a victory against open company in a firstlevel allowance.