DEL MAR, Calif. - Much has changed for jockey Drayden Van Dyke since he last rode at Del Mar in September 2023. Van Dyke took an extended break from riding at the end of 2023, and returned to action at Santa Anita earlier this year. When he struggled to gain traction, Van Dyke relocated to Gulfstream Park in early June where he has found a place among the top 10. On Saturday at Del Mar, Van Dyke has one mount on the Breeders’ Cup program, the Florida shipper Soul of an Angel in the Filly and Mare Sprint. Van Dyke rode Soul of an Angel for the first time to a win in the Grade 3 Princess Rooney Stakes at seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park on Sept. 21, one of six stakes wins for the jockey this year through Wednesday. Soul of an Angel is trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., with whom Van Dyke is closely allied. Soul of an Angel won her second stakes of 2024 in the Princess Rooney. She drew post 8 in a field of 10 in the Filly and Mare Sprint and will be closing from off the pace. Van Dyke has thought through the race and watched video of Soul of An Angel exercise at Del Mar. In his mind, an upset is possible. :: Get the inside scoop from the morning workouts with Breeders' Cup Clocker Reports from Mike Welsch and the DRF Clocker Team “The last couple of nights I’ve run through the scenarios in my mind,” Van Dyke said from Florida on Thursday. “I’m excited about it. She looks like she’s handling the track well. “It would be amazing if we can win it.” Van Dyke, 30, knows Del Mar. Of his 856 career wins, through Wednesday, 240 have come at Del Mar. Van Dyke won riding titles at Del Mar in the 2017 fall meeting and 2018 summer meeting. At the current Gulfstream Park autumn meeting, Van Dyke ranks sixth in the standings with 13 wins. At the track’s spring-summer meeting, which began before he arrived, he finished eighth with 31 wins. “I’ve been doing well,” he said. “I exceeded the expectations that I’ve had.” The track’s top meeting, held in the autumn and winter, will be tougher, with jockeys from around the nation based temporarily in Florida. Some of the nation’s leading stables will have a presence, too. Van Dyke is eager for the challenge of riding during that season. “I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I have connections with some of the guys. I’ll put my work in in the mornings.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.