Ocean’s 11 was a crime/comedy vehicle for Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. in 1960 but it has nothing as far as longevity on the 63rd running of the Oceanside Stakes, which will be renewed on opening day Wednesday at Del Mar.

The traditional opening-day stakes is the Oceanside and it is just about always split and raced as two events. In fact, in 2007, the fixture was split into three distinct divisions but this year, maybe because of pressures of the economy, only 10 will go with 4 lined up as also eligible.

The fray always comes up tough as it is for sophomores at a mile on grass and there is always a hodgepodge of returnees, up and comers, sharp ‘now’ horses and a fair amount of invaders looking for glory.

Over the decades the race has been won by such standouts as Aristocratical, Hawkster and Repriced. Last year Dixie Chatter sat third early a length off the lead before holding on to win by a half-length in 1:35 4/5 with a 91 Beyer. In the other half of the stakes Kilderry used the opposite approach, coming from 2nd to last to hold on by a nostril in 1:35 2/5 with a 94 Beyer.

From the rail out, this is how the race sets up: Herr Mozart was all out to get that second win by a head but came back to earth big time in the Grade 3 Cinema. The Bob Baffert colt will have to come from pretty far back.

As befitting a Hall of Fame rider, Gary Stevens will saddle his very first starter as a trainer in Lesson in Deceit. Another will limited speed; the lone bright spot on this one’s resume is a win in a $50,000 Turf Paradise stakes.

Rendevous had a valid excuse in the Hill Prince at Belmont last time when he could not stand up in the off going but the colt also failed in two prior stakes attempts.

Azul Leon is one of three Doug O’Neill trainees and this one should be coming late. He’s won two Graded races, has won off the bench, has a super work pattern and lands Garrett Gomez.

Flashmans Papers is still seeking his first win of the year and this race is a long way from winning a $70K stakes over 7 foes in 2008.

Mark S the Cooler is still eligible for a non-winners of 2 other than fray but was flattered by Battle of Hastings, who beat him on June 20, then won again last Saturday in the Grade 2 Virginia Derby.

The great Gretsky should be value since he is making his stakes debut but he’s in the world-class hands of Neil Drysdale and has a right to become a nice horse as kin to double stakes winner and over $200,000 earner T Storm.

Afleet Eagle tries to turn the hat trick here but he got away with a pedestrian pace last time and will be chasing the fastest splits of his career.

Meteore is a rising star. He’s been a slow learner but should sit a good trip; maybe midpack hoping the speed comes back.

Backbackbackgone will try to knock it out of the park on the front end as he has :44 and change speed and will have to gun from the outside slot.

Position A, a tough beat loser, Nashoba Express, a youngster with a huge future as kin to $1.2 million earner Nashoba’s Key, Dream Now, who has not raced since April and Rainbow Goose, a Tampa maiden breaker, will all have to draw in from the also list.

When the gates open expect Backbackbackgone to gun and be pushed along by Flashmans Papers with Afleet Eagle sitting a decent third. In the next flight will be Azul Leon, Gretsky and Meteore with the rest bringing up the rear. As they hit the top of the stretch the duel will take the starch out of Backbackbackgone, Flashmans Papers will hold a brief lead before the field pounces.

At the wire Azul Leon goes between horses to bull his way to the front in time with Gretsky, Mark S the Cooler and Meteore fighting it out for the trifecta pieces.

If you win, have a margarita on me, if you lose; there is always the Ocean.