Full Serrano and Katonah are among at least five Southern California-based runners expected for the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar, making this year’s renewal a home game for many in the anticipated field. Other California-based hopefuls include likely favorite National Treasure, as well as Dr. Venkman and Muth. “Being able to run out of your own stall is definitely a big advantage, not only for your horse, but the staff, the whole crew,” said Doug O’Neill, who trains Katonah. “It’s a real benefit for the whole barn to have it in your own backyard.” Full Serrano and Katonah both have raced at Del Mar, with Full Serrano winning a mile allowance in his first local start Aug. 3. “He showed a definite affinity for that track,” trainer John Sadler said. “There’s no doubt about that.” :: BREEDERS’ CUP DIRT MILE: See DRF’s special section with top contenders, odds, comments, news, and more Full Serrano, a private purchase earlier this year, has tools that helped him be effective at a mile at Del Mar. “The kind of trip you have to get, you have to have a horse that has some speed,” Sadler said. “Del Mar has never really been a track where they come from way, way, super back. So, he has the speed to be in the race early.” Full Serrano was previously based in Argentina, where he won three dirt races at the “about” distance of a mile. He was purchased by longtime Sadler client Hronis Racing. “I’m looking for horses that can run long on the dirt,” Sadler said. “I always feel like there’s room in that division. He showed the versatility to run on both surfaces in Argentina.” Full Serrano moved into Grade 1 company at Del Mar on Aug. 31, and was second by a half-length in the Pacific Classic. He’s since been working sharply for the Dirt Mile, going five furlongs in 59.80 seconds Monday. “He ran really well in the Pacific Classic, was kind of unlucky to lose,” Sadler said. “When he shipped back to Santa Anita, he got a little fever, so he missed the prep up here. But he’s done really well back on the track.” Katonah was Grade 2-placed at Del Mar in July, when second in the San Diego at 1 1/16 miles. O’Neill said for his horse, securing position into the first turn will be important going a mile at Del Mar. “You have to have enough horse leaving the gate to not get [caught wide] – that turn comes up fairly quickly,” he said. “You just have to have enough horse to save some ground in that first turn. My hope is to not lose too much ground on that first turn.” Tumbarumba, the runner-up in the Ack Ack, a one-turn mile at Churchill Downs, is possible for the Dirt Mile. “He’s a horse that will probably appreciate a two-turn mile,” trainer Brian Lynch said. “He’s got that sort of tactical speed, where he can kind of lay up close there in a bit of short stretch. That track – I haven’t raced there for a lot of years – I just think he might be a horse that enjoys a mile in that configuration.” Lynch said by the end of the week he plans to make a decision on Tumbarumba, who has another option of the Fayette at Keeneland. ◗ Seize the Grey will run in the Dirt Mile after also being under consideration for the Classic, trainer D. Wayne Lukas told Daily Racing Form’s David Grening. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.