Versatile Collected Runner Iron Man Cal Earns Breeders’ Cup Berth With Del Mar G2 Win
Del Mar, California—Iron Man Cal, a 4-year-old gelding by Rancho San Miguel’s leading California sire Collected, became a dual-surface graded stakes winner on August 29 with his front-running upset of Del Mar’s $252,500 Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2), earning an automatic berth in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Keeneland Race Course on October 31 due to the California race’s “Win and You’re In” designation.
Paired with jockey Joel Rosario at outsider odds of 8-1, the Phil D’Amato trainee led throughout the seven-furlong dirt test, carving out fractions of :22.51, :45.11 and 1:09.34 for the opening six furlongs, and ultimately reaching the wire a half-length to the good in a final clocking of 1:22.02.
With the achievement, Iron Man Cal improved his career tally to four wins and three placings from 11 career starts. Winner of Santa Anita Park’s Grade 3 Zuma Beach Stakes on turf at 2, he has now earned $543,125 overall for owners Little Red Feather Racing and Madaket Stables LLC.
He is the third foal and top earner out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Joyful Dreams, and was bred in Kentucky by late Airdrie Stud owner Brereton Jones.
###
