Catalina Cruiser ($4.40) led throughout Saturday's Grade 2 San Diego Handicap in his stakes debut on a day when stablemate Accelerate stayed in the barn.

Accelerate, who won the 2017 San Diego and two Grade 1 races at Santa Anita earlier this year, was held out of this year's race in favor of a start in the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 18.

Without Accelerate in the field, Catalina Cruiser inherited the role of favorite and ran to expectations. Ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, Catalina Cruiser controlled the pace and drew away in the final quarter-mile to prevail by 6 3-4 lengths over 5-2 Dr. Dorr. Dabster closed well to finish third in the field of five, followed by Two Thirty Five and Harlan Punch.

Catalina Cruiser was timed in 1:42.95 for 1 1-16 miles.

Aside from Accelerate, Curlin Rules, El Huerfano, Prince of Arabia, and Sharp Samurai were scratched. 

Accelerate races for Pete and Kosta Hronis and trainer John Sadler. The San Diego Handicap was the 4-year-old colt's third start and first around two turns. He won a maiden race at six furlongs at Santa Anita last October and an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option there on May 19 in his only start this year.