Although Senor Buscador is currently ranked just behind Thorpedo Anna in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association poll, the seven-furlong Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar on Aug. 24 is prime ground for sprinters. In California, one name dominates the sprint scene: The Chosen Vron.

Senor Buscador has been impressive on the international stage this year, winning the Saudi Cup (G1) and finishing third in the Dubai World Cup (G1). Now, he returns to Del Mar, where he won the 2023 San Diego Handicap (G2), for his first race in over four months, cutting back to seven furlongs.

Trainer Todd Fincher has Senor Buscador in top form, as usual. With earnings of $12,696,427, Senor Buscador stands out in the eight-horse field. Joe Talamo will guide him from post 7.

Senor Buscador has seven wins in 19 starts. In contrast, The Chosen Vron boasts 19 career wins, 14 of them in the past three seasons, with just one loss during that stretch—in last year's Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1). Fresh off a commanding victory in the six-furlong Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar on July 27, The Chosen Vron has a lifetime earnings of $1,659,678. Despite the lower earnings, he’s proven to be a relentless winner.

Trainer Eric Kruljac has kept The Chosen Vron sharp with a few breezes since the Crosby, including a smooth four-furlong workout in :48 1/5 on Aug. 17.

"It was just beautiful—he just cruised," Kruljac said about the workout.

Hector Berrios, The Chosen Vron's regular rider, will be back aboard for the O'Brien, starting from post 6.

The Chosen Vron's victory in the Crosby secured him a spot in the Breeders' Cup Sprint through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. The O'Brien Stakes, another Challenge Series race, offers the winner an entry to the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

Among the O'Brien nominations was Arabian Knight, the 2023 Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) winner at Del Mar. However, Hill 'n' Dale Farm announced on Aug. 19 that the 4-year-old son of Uncle Mo has been retired and will begin his stud career next season.

This leaves Senor Buscador and The Chosen Vron to face six other competitors, all expected to be long shots in the field.

Returning from the Crosby are See Through It and Happy Jack, trained by Genaro Vallejo and Doug O'Neill, respectively. See Through It (Tiago Pereira, post 2) finished fourth in the Crosby and previously placed third in the Palos Verdes Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita. Happy Jack (Edwin Maldonado, post 3) won the Triple Bend Stakes (G2) before finishing sixth in the Crosby.

Richard Mandella’s Big City Lights, third in the Triple Bend, has five wins and four second-place finishes—each of those seconds coming behind The Chosen Vron. Kazushi Kimura will ride from post 5.

The field is completed by Churchill Downs stakes winner Raging Torrent, multiple stakes-placed Moose Mitchell, and allowance optional claimer winner Arrowthegreat. 

Image JCSA