Trainer Mike Mitchell sent out two winners at Del Mar Thursday, Aug. 11, to tie Hall of Famer Ron McAnally for the title as winningest trainer in the history of the seaside track.
The 63-year-old conditioner, in his 35th season at Del Mar, won the sixth race with favored Diamond Journey, ridden by Joel Rosario, and then moved into a deadlock with McAnally by saddling his 436th winner when So Tough won the eighth and final race of the afternoon with Martin Garcia aboard.
Mitchell will have three opportunities Friday to clinch the top spot when he sends out contenders in the second, fifth, and sixth races.
McAnally, in his 52nd Del Mar meeting, will be in Chicago this weekend, saddling defending champion Éclair de Lune in the Beverly D Stakes (gr. IT) Aug. 13 at Arlington Park.
