West Coast sprinters will flash their speed once again Saturday when a field of 10 will face off in the Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar. Contested at seven-eighths of a mile, the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien offers added distance as opposed to last month’s six-furlong Bing Crosby Stakes, giving closers a little more time to try and collar the speedsters in the stretch.

This year’s edition features a rematch of the top two finishers in 2025, Dr. Venkman and Stronghold, who’ll vie along with the other starters for a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile held around two turns Oct. 31 at Keeneland.

1. Stronghold: Started out 2026 in sharp form with a pair of wins. But was then a disappointing sixth in the Bing Crosby. The added distance could enable him to rebound with a better try here.

JOCKEY: Antonio Fresu; TRAINER: Phil D’Amato

2. Dr. Venkman: Won last year’s Pat O’Brien at 5-2 odds but has yet to regain his top form this year. Was sixth in the Bango Stakes at Churchill Downs and fifth in the Bing Crosby. He likes this track, but would need to see some improvement before backing him in a spot like this.

JOCKEY: Umberto Rispoli; TRAINER: Mark Glatt

3. Vodka Vodka: Seems an odd spot for a gelding who has not run since April and has not raced at less than a mile since Feb. 15, 2024 when he was fifth at 6 ½ furlongs in his career debut. Faces a tough task.

JOCKEY: Kent Desormeaux; TRAINER: Aggie Ordonez

4. Gold Sweep: Showed little when seventh in the Bing Crosby. Was in good form before that, and while seven furlongs seems beyond his scope, he could sneak into the exotics.

JOCKEY: Ricardo Gonzalez; TRAINER: John Haran

5. Bartholdly: Was claimed for $100,000 out of his last start, a big win at a mile in an allowance optional claimer on this track. The final time makes him competitive in this field, but can he duplicate it? Has finished third in his last four appearances in graded stakes and could figure in the exotics.

JOCKEY: Tyler Baze; TRAINER: Jose D’Angelo

6. Iron Man Cal: Made his first start on dirt last time out when third behind the now-retired Journalism in the 1 1/16-mile San Diego Handicap. Ran on turf before that, in races at a mile or more, except for a fourth at five furlongs in his career debut. Might find the fractions a bit too fast for his taste here.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Phil D’Amato

Stronghold (BENOIT photo)

7. Moonlight: Closed fast in the final furlong of the Bing Crosby, making up 7 ½ lengths in the final furlong while racing for trainer Peter Miller for the first time. If he can kick into gear quicker, the wind might blow some luck in your direction and Moonlight could feel right on Saturday.

JOCKEY: Victor Espinoza; TRAINER: Peter Miller

8. Big City Lights: California-bred was third in the 2024 Pat O’Brien. Has only raced six times since and comes in off a state-bred stakes win in May. Has worked sharply and could be competitive with his best effort.

JOCKEY: Kazushi Kimura; TRAINER: Richard Mandella

9. March of Time: Makes his stakes debut for Bob Baffert at the age of 5. Has the kind of running style that should work here and may fire a top race in his third start after a long layoff.

JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

10. Jimmy’s Dailys: Has been racing with modest success in the East. Was second in an allowance optional claiming race at Colonial Downs but posted a bland speed figure.

JOCKEY: Emisael Jaramillo; TRAINER: Jose D’Angelo

THE PICK: Stronghold

LIVE LONGSHOT: Moonlight

SUPERFECTA: 1-9-8-7