‘Diana Looks Promising

Two California-bred fillies are the ones to beat in today’s $150,000 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar, a prep for the $250,000 Del Mar Debutante on Aug. 30.

Trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the Sorrento and Debutante a combined nine times, has one of them, Dirty Diana.

Purchased privately by Baffert for a partnership after she broke her maiden by seven lengths in her debut April 24 at Hollywood Park, Dirty Diana made a good first impression at Del Mar on July 25.

Rebounding from a poor effort in the Cinderella Stakes on June 8 at Hollywood Park, the Flying Continental filly had blinkers added and won the CTBA Stakes by 8 1/2 lengths. She drew the outside post in the 6 1/2-furlong Sorrento.

Tizdubai, her main rival, will start from the No. 5 post. A full sister to Budroyale and two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Tiznow, Tizdubai overcame trouble to win her debut July 6 at Hollywood Park.

Race of the day: Bare Necessities, who finished third behind Azeri in the Vanity Handicap on June 21 at Hollywood Park, will try for her fourth win of the year in the $200,000 Gardenia Handicap at Ellis Park.

One for the road: Path Of Thunder, a full sister to multiple-graded stakes winner Spain, makes her debut for sizzling trainer Todd Pletcher in today’s fourth at Saratoga. Pletcher is on pace to shatter the record for wins by a trainer at a Saratoga meet.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Thames, Lasting Image and School Of Thought in the third, American Liberty in the fourth and using Nice Fish, Reatta Pass, Simplytruth, Magic Masque and Crystal Forest in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/26. Money: Previous day/meet total: $10/$149.20. Total money bet: $254.