Tom's Tribute Tops Talented Seabiscuit Cast

Tom's Tribute, whose past two starts at Del Mar produced victories in the Eddie Read Stakes (gr. IT) and Del Mar Mile Handicap (gr. IIT), heads a staunch field of 10 expected for the $250,000 Seabiscuit Handicap (gr. IIT) Nov. 28 on the turf.



Multiple graded stakes winner Za Approval, Mr. Commons, and Skyring, along with recent grade II winners Big Bane Theory and Kaigun help make this an exceptionally tough 1 1/16-mile turf event. The Seabiscuit is yet another newly named stakes at the Del Mar fall meet, replacing what was previously the Citation Handicap when contested at Hollywood Park. It is race 7 on the Friday program with a scheduled post time of 3:30 p.m. PST.



Tom's Tribute, to be ridden by Mike Smith for hot trainer Jim Cassidy and Braly Family Trust, is the 123-pound highweight and will break from post 8. Smith and Cassidy combined to win the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. III) with Ocho Ocho Ocho and the $200,000 Treasure Chest Stakes with Yahilwa Nov. 22 at Delta Downs Racetrack in Vinton, La.



The 4-year-old son of Lion Heart, who prefers to come from off the pace, looks to bounce back from a seventh in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) Nov. 1.



Also coming out of the Breeders' Cup Mile is Kaigun, who never got involved that day while finishing 10th. The Ontario-bred 4-year-old Northern Afleet   gelding, trained by Mark Casse for owner Gary Barber and partners, won the Play the King Stakes (Can-IIT) at Woodbine Aug. 10.

He nearly upset the Knob Creek Manhattan Stakes (gr. IT) when second at Belmont Park in June as well. Corey Nakatani takes the call on Kaigun, who carries 121 pounds from post 6.



Big Bane Theory won the grassy City of Hope Mile (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita Park impressively Oct. 4 for trainer Carla Gaines and also made an appearance in the Breeders' Cup, splitting a field of nine in the Dirt Mile (gr. I) Oct. 31. The 5-year-old by Artie Schiller   gets back on turf, a surface over which he has won four of 10 starts. Joe Talamo rides the bay horse from the far outside post.



Following a great 2013 campaign, Live Oak Plantation's Za Approval got back to the winner's circle for the first time in five starts this season by taking the Real Courage Stakes in his most recent start Sept. 7 going seven furlongs on the Belmont lawn. Trained by Christophe Clement, the 6-year-old son of Ghostzapper   will be ridden by Victor Espinoza, who guided Za Approval to a second-place finish in last year's Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT).



Also rounding back into form is St. George Farm Racing's Mr. Commons, second to Big Bane Theory in the City of Hope Mile last time for trainer John Shirreffs. Mr. Commons will shed blinkers Friday and will have Brice Blanc aboard.



Skyringwon the Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Handicap (gr. IIT) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in March. But he went to the sidelines after finishing last of 10 in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT) at Churchill Downs May 3 and makes his first appearance since then. The 5-year-old son of English Channel put in a half-mile workout over the Del Mar turf Nov. 23 in :49 3/5. Trainer Jose Fernandez tabs Tyler Baze for the mount.



Lil Bit O'Fun has a win over the Del Mar course, taking the one-mile Wickerr Stakes July 23 for trainer Phil D'Amato.



Boozer steps up in class after posting back-to-back grass wins for trainer Mark Glatt, while Pure Tactics also takes on tougher off a 6 1/2-length romp in the restricted Lure Stakes for trainer Leandro Mora over one mile at Santa Anita Oct. 26.



Avanzare, a grade III winner on Polytrack, was third last time in the City of Hope Mile for trainer Tom Proctor, just a neck behind runner-up Mr. Commons.