Ethnic Dance and Gabriel Charles, who won divisions of the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Sunday, are likely to face off in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita on Nov. 1, their trainers said Monday morning.
Gabriel Charles, who closed sharply to win the first division, was making only his second start since December, when he fractured his pelvis. His only start since then was on opening day of the Del Mar meet, July 17, when he was an unlucky loser of a division of the Oceanside Stakes. He skipped the La Jolla on Aug. 10 by design.
“The longer time between races the better for him,” said his trainer, Jeff Mullins.
Ethnic Dance scored a front-running victory in the second division of the Del Mar Derby. It was his first start against open company and in a stakes race. He has run five times in the last four months.
“He’s done a lot,” said his trainer, John Sadler. “I don’t want to run him in anything early at Santa Anita. I’m inclined to give him some spacing.”
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Location: Santa Anita Park
Distance: 1 1/8 miles
Track: Turf
Qualification: Fillies & Mares, three-years-olds
Weight: Gr. II
Purse: $150,000
