A look at a horse, an owner, a trainer and a rider of interest in the coming weekend at Del Mar:

HORSE – UNUSUAL HEAT

Notable: California's leading sire of 2008 will be represented by five daughters in stakes tomorrow and Sunday – Lethal Heat and Bel Air Sizzle in the Del Mar Oaks, and America's Friend, Lightmyfirebaby and Christiana's Heat in Sunday's Solana Beach Handicap Unusual Heat progeny, led by two stakes wins from Lethal Heat, have nine wins at the meeting, seven on the Polytrack main surface and two on the turf, making Unusual Heat by far the leading sire Unusual Heat, an 18-year-old son of Nureyev, stands stud at Old English Rancho in Sanger for a $20,000 (live foal) fee this year. Fee for 2009 to be determined Compiled racing record of six wins, two seconds and two thirds with earnings of $143,707 from ages 2 to 6 in Ireland and the United States and was graded stakes-placed in Ireland.

Quote of note: “We knew the Nureyev line likes grass and that (affinity) seems to transfer to synthetics, so it's kind of a natural thing. But he was doing very well before (the California switch to synthetics). His get are exceptionally sound. It's kind of a Cinderella story and we're very excited about it.” – Buddy Johnston, owner, Old English Rancho

OWNER – MADELINE AUERBACH

Notable: Thoroughbred Owners of California director and vice chairman A 40-year Southern California resident, Auerbach and her late husband, James, established a wholesale furniture manufacturing company, which they ran for many years before it was sold in 2004 Got into horse racing, claiming first horse, Bravo Bravo, in 1977 and entered the breeding business in 1998 First progeny of Unusual Heat, Frankie Eyelashes, made first start here in 2001 and won Part-owner of Bel Air Sizzle, Lethal Heat and America's Friend, stakes entrants in Oaks and/or Solana Beach.

Quote of note: “It has been a long time coming. I worked 30 years to become an overnight sensation. But I'm excited (about multiple chances) because they're nice fillies.”

TRAINER – BARRY ABRAMS

Notable: Russian-born, 54-year-old former standardbred trainer and survivor of 2005 bout with throat cancer has entered Bel Air Sizzle and Lethal Heat in the Oaks (with Lethal Heat double-entered in the Solana Beach), plus America's Friend, Exquisite Beauty and Lightmyfirebaby in the Solana Beach Has 10 stakes wins here, the first recorded in 1995 and the last two this meeting with Lethal Heat in the Fleet Treat on July 20 and the Real Good Deal a week ago, the latter against colts Began the week No. 30 in national trainer standings with 26 wins from 164 starters and stable earnings of $2.18 million.

Quote of note: “We're going to wait until (tomorrow) morning to decide, but right now it looks like it will be the Oaks (for Lethal Heat). I had her on the turf course (yesterday) morning and she handled it well.”

RIDER – RICHARD MIGLIORE

Notable: Returns from Saratoga, where he headed after the first week of the season here, to ride Ginger Pop in tomorrow's Oaks Longtime New York mainstay relocated to Southern California in 2006 for an 18-month stay that ended July 21 to return to home state and family Highlight of lone full-time Del Mar season last year came with victory in Pacific Classic aboard Student Council, one of $2 million wins in 28-year career.

– HANK WESCH