DEL MAR, Calif. – Laurel River had won so powerfully in his return to action following a lengthy layoff earlier this meet, and had trained so well in the weeks since, that his trainer, Bob Baffert, briefly flirted with the idea of running in the Pacific Classic next Saturday. “But I only would have done it,” Baffert said, “if Flightline wasn’t in there.” Flightline is, so Laurel River won’t be. Taking an easier but still significant option, Baffert on Saturday at Del Mar ran Laurel River in the Grade 2, $252,500 Pat O’Brien Stakes, and Laurel River continued his love affair with this track by romping to a 3 3/4-length victory to earn a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Nov. 5 at Keeneland. Laurel River ($15.80), under the meet’s leading rider, Juan Hernandez, sat a perfect trip into the far turn of the seven-furlong race, right behind three leaders, and, when a seam developed between Principe Carlo and favored Speaker’s Corner near the quarter pole, Laurel River pounced. He quickly knifed between rivals, then drew clear, leaving no doubt as to the result. Laurel River completed seven furlongs on the fast main track in 1:21.37, earning a 108 Beyer Speed Figure. :: DRF Bets members get FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic. Join now! American Theorem, winner of the Grade 1 Bing Crosby four weeks ago, was along for second, three-quarters of a length better than late-running Senor Buscador. Speaker’s Corner, sent west after facing heavy hitters Flightline and Life Is Good in his last two starts, set the pace, but tired in the lane and was fourth as the even-money favorite. His jockey, Mike Smith, said Speaker’s Corner was being difficult in the starting gate. “Not a good sign,” he said. The Chosen Vron was fifth and was followed, in order, by Defunded, Get Her Number, C Z Rocket, Principe Carlo, and Restrainedvengence. Laurel River, 4, is a Juddmonte Farms homebred by Into Mischief out of the Empire Maker mare Calm Water. Twice he’s had significant layoffs – six months from 2 to 3, nearly 10 months from 3 to 4 – but he has shown brilliance on occasion, particularly at Del Mar, where he has now won three straight by a combined 20 lengths. “He’s a good horse,” said Baffert, who thanked Juddmonte, in particular manager Garrett O’Rourke, for keeping the horse in his care “through all the turmoil,” as he put it, in the aftermath of last year’s Kentucky Derby. Laurel River won a first-level allowance here last summer before going to the sidelines, and returned July 31 to win a second-level allowance, both at a flat mile. This was his first stakes win, though he was stakes-placed at 3, in his third start, in the Grade 3 Laz Barrera at Santa Anita. Baffert said Laurel River will return to two-turn races, with the Grade 1 Awesome Again at Santa Anita on Oct. 1 his next target. “He’s most effective going two turns,” Baffert said. “He’s so lightly raced.” Laurel River has now won four times in seven starts. He earned $150,000 on Saturday to bring his bankroll to $314,620.