Continental Divide was the leading hip at the Barretts May Sale of 2-year-olds in-training at Del Mar, selling for $245,000 to Deron Pearson. The colt makes his debut in a maiden race for California-breds at five furlongs in Friday's eighth race.

Continental Divide is by Animal Kingdom and is a California-bred. There are not many of those. 

Continental Divide has been in steady training with trainer Jim Cassidy since early June. Cassidy considers Continental Divide to be a promising runner, but has limited expectations for Friday.

"He's very nice," Cassidy said earlier this week. "I think five-eighths is too short for him.

"Every rider that gets on him, likes him. I'm impressed with him all ready. I think with his pedigree he'll run a mile."

The field of 10 is led by Suit of LIghts (1), who was third in his debut in a similar race on June 18.