When Dr. Venkman drew inside yet again, this time for the Grade 2 $250,000 Pat O'Brien Stakes Aug. 23 at Del Mar, trainer Mark Glatt wasn't happy, but as the race unfolded, Dr. Venkman found a big hole on the rail and gamely shot through for the victory.

"He doesn't like the inside," Glatt said. "I'm glad he kind of redeemed himself because we thought he should have maybe won his last couple of races."

A Breeders' Cup Challenge Series event, the seven-furlong O'Brien offered a "Win and You're In" berth into the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

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The Pat O'Brien went off with a six-horse field of runners specializing in a wide variety of distances. When the gates opened, 7-5 favorite Speed Boat Beach went to the lead along with fellow Bob Baffert trainee Maymun in fractions of :22.53 for the first quarter mile and :44.87 for a half mile.

Dr. Venkman found himself stuck behind the Baffert duo with Stronghold just outside of him. Jockey Umberto Rispoli played a waiting game with Dr. Venkman, however, and it paid off handsomely. As the leaders came around the turn into the stretch, Speed Boat Beach drifted out, opening up a hole that Glatt later admitted "you could have driven a truck through."

Dr. Venkman didn't hesitate, flying through the opening to take command as Speed Boat Beach faded. Dr. Venkman and Rispoli defeated Stronghold and jockey Antonio Fresu by a half-length in 1:21.53, with Express Train finishing third followed by Maymun and Speed Boat Beach. Spirit of Makena was pulled up on the turn.

"Umberto rode a very, very patient ride, and when it opened up, he was able to get through," Glatt said.

Rispoli called Dr. Venkman a smart horse and a fighter.

"He knows how to run his races," the jockey said. "I just kept him on the fence, just looking ahead of me, looking to see a horse on the rail. No one wanted to be there, so at that point I saw that was going to be my gap."

Glatt trains Dr. Venkman for the partnership of Alipony Racing, Dan Agnew, Clint Bunch, and James Hailey. Dr. Venkman has won four of 10 lifetime starts, including the 2024 Grade 2 San Diego Handicap.

"All the credit to the owners," said Glatt. "We have had to start and stop. He is a lightly raced horse but he's well preserved. Hopefully, there are bigger and better things ahead."

Dr. Venkman is by Ghostzapper. His name harkens back to the character Dr. Peter Venkman, played by Bill Murray in the original "Ghostbusters" film.