Mr. Commons is gearing up for a return to the turf at Del Mar

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Opening day at Del Mar is on July 20, and the thousands of fans expected to turn out will get to see a promising 3-year-old colt ready to return to the turf in Mr. Commons, who finished third in the Santa Anita Derby and eighth in the Preakness Stakes.

Trainer John Shirreffs confirmed on Monday that Mr. Commons is on track to start in the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes at a mile on the turf.

Last week, Mr. Commons worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 at Hollywood Park. In his only appearance on the turf last January, Mr. Commons broke his maiden at Santa Anita, winning at 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:12.14, one of the best performances of the meeting on the downhill turf course.

Mr. Commons’ sire, Artie Schiller, won the 2005 Breeders’ Cup Mile. Mr. Commons could become a turf specialist the rest of the year if he performs up to expectations in the Oceanside.

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Patrick Valenzuela gets big victory at Hollywood Park

-- Eric Sondheimer