Nevada Beach Towers Over Native Diver Foes

After a disappointing run in the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 1, Nevada Beach  is back in action Nov. 22 as he faces four rivals in the $100,000 Native Diver Stakes (G3).

The 3-year-old Omaha Beach   colt found himself shuffled back in the early stages of the 1 1/4-mile contest against the best dirt horses in the world and was never able to launch a rally and finished seventh. However, the professionalism he showed one race prior in the 1 1/8-mile Goodwood Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park Sept. 27 suggested he still could be an exciting developing talent within the division for owners Michael Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman.

Although the 1 1/8-mile Native Diver will only be the Bob Baffert trainee's sixth lifetime start, he towers over his foes in terms of career accomplishments. He'll carry the high weight of 122 pounds while breaking from the middle post 3 beneath Juan Hernandez.

C R K Stable's Westwood  is the other sophomore in the field, carrying the low weight of 118. Grade 1-placed when third as a maiden in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) this spring, he exits a pair of runner-up efforts in allowance company for trainer John Shirreffs. British Isles  and Clouseau  also enter off allowance runs.

Breaking from the rail is Indispensable , who was last seen shipping to Churchill Downs to run third in the Sept. 27 Ack Ack Stakes (G3) for trainer John Sadler and owners By Talla Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Edwin Barker.