Speed is the Key on Closing Day Del Mar Card

 Race 4: Allowance N1X, 1-1/16 Miles Turf, Three-year olds 

BEYOND BRILLIANT (#4, 8-1) is a son of Twirling Candy who will make his third start of this meet and so far it has not been a productive summer as he comes into this race beaten a combined 25-¼ lengths in those two starts. However, each race was better than the margin of defeat would suggest and with circumstances in his favor on closing day I expect a form reversal for this John Shirreffs trainee that could land him in the Winner’s Circle at a juicy price. He ran on opening weekend on July 17 at a flat mile on the main track where he ran into a Del Mar horse for course, Ginobili, in the fastest dirt mile of this Del Mar meet (1:36.18) that earned a 104 Beyer Speed Figure. In that race he rode the rail on the first turn and down the backstretch, chasing the fastest half mile at this distance, 45.21 seconds. He angled into the three paths into and around the far turn and made a nice run along with eventual fourth place finisher Established to the top of the stretch and flattened out on his run to finish fifth beaten 14-¼ lengths. No disgrace splitting this field as the speed figure was confirmed when Ginobilli came back to win G2 Pat O’ Brian on August 28, 2021 with a 102 Beyer Speed Figure and fourth place finisher, Established, came back to win Allowance N1X on August 21, 2021 with a 86 Beyer Speed Figure. Also, Beyond Brilliant raced along the inside for more than a half mile of this race on a main track with strong pro-outside bias. He returned three weeks later at the same class level at 1-1/16 on the main track where he found himself pressing a fast pace through the first half mile in between the favored winner, Defunded, and long shot pace rival in Betito. Beyond Brilliant stayed with the favored winner to the quarter pole and then gave way to lose by eleven lengths. This defeat was the result of a fast pace as the 46.17 second half mile he set was the sixth fastest half mile split from the first forty-three dirt route races through Saturday’s card at Del Mar. He switched to the turf and he ran well in his two sprints on turf in his first two starts and comes into this race with two maintenance workouts of half a mile and five furlongs. More importantly, is the pace of this race. Beyond Brilliant will not have to chase the pace that Ginobili set two races back in the fastest pace one mile this meet and will not have to set such an enervating half mile like he did in his recent start. In a race where TimeformUS pace projector sees it favoring horses on or near the early lead, new rider Kent Desormeaux will have this bay colt on the front end from the start and say catch me if you can as my BEST BET on closing day card. 

The Play:

WIN bet on (4) BEYOND BRILLIANT at 7-2 or higher. 

Main Exacta: 4-3. Small reverse. 

Race 6: Allowance N1X, 5 Furlongs Turf, Three-year olds and upward

DEISE DELIGHT (#7, 6-1) will make her third start of this meet and this Irish bred daughter of Brazen Beau has run very well in her two starts here at Del Mar. She ran third in a one mile Starter Allowance race on turf on July 25 where she set a pressured pace from the start with long shot pace rival Lookin So Lucky as those two dueled all the way to mid stretch where Deise Delight finally put away that rival but was softened up late as the first two finishers, Cinnte Winnte and Viazer, took advantage of the speed duel to rally from eleventh and tenth after the first half mile on a course and distance thru the first four weeks of the meet played pro closer bias. Also, this was not a visually impressive race to watch as only 4-½ lengths separated the first ten finishers in a race that I term in my notes as Bunched. In order to turn around her form, she cut back to five furlongs and added the blinkers for the first time on August 19 here at Del Mar and ran second behind her stablemate and today’s rival A.G. Indy but the difference for the win was the winner got a clear three-wide tracking trip while Deise Delight had to wait for room and that was the ultimate decision. According to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, “she moved up to stalk the pace inside, had to wait as the winner got first run leaving the far turn and into the lane, came out and finished well while very late switching leads, too late for the win.” That moment that she had to wait was the difference in victory. She returns in eighteen days with the move up in class to Allowance N1X in a race where the TimeformUS pace projector once again sees this race favoring horses on or near the early lead. Deise Delight has early speed to lead like she showed in her first three starts routing on turf but the blinkers have enhanced that speed as she can be forwardly placed close to the early lead in a turf sprint such as the case last time out. Capable replacement Abel Cedillo takes the mount for the first time and with a cleaner trip at the top of the stretch I could envision Deise Delight turning the tables on her stablemate A.G. Indy to spring the mild upset to begin mandatory payout of the Jackpot Pick 6. 

The Play 

WIN bet on (7) DEISE DELIGHT at 5-1 or better. 

Main Exacta part-wheel: 7 with 1,5. Small reverse. 

Race 7: Allowance N1X, 1-Mile, Three-year olds and upward

LAUREL RIVER (#7, 3-1) is a horse that I have patiently waited to stretch out to two turns. My notes on this son of Into Mischief are “will handle the stretch out under favorable circumstances.” Today is the day if my notes prove accurate as this Bob Baffert trainee stretches out for the first time. He rode a pro-inside speed bias on April 3 to break his maiden by four and a quarter lengths with a career-best 92 Beyer Speed Figure and he has yet to visit the winner's circle in two subsequent starts. However, I can find excuses where the result of those two defeats was because of the early pace. He ran in the Grade 3 Laz Barrera on May 15 at Santa Anita where he ran second as the 6-5 second choice behind the favorite The Chosen Vroon but Laurel River won the early pace battle only to lose the war. In that race he popped the gate to lead only to face immediate pressure from the longest shot in the field, I’ll Stand Taller, as they zipped through 21.32 second opening quarter. He was able to shake loose of that rival into and around the far turn only to face immediate challenge from the favorite The Chosen Vroon who took over the lead at the eighth pole and won by three and a half lengths earning a 83 Beyer Speed Figure but this speed figure I upgraded to his maiden victory because the fractions he set were all coded red by TimeformUS and earned off the chart Moss Pace Figures. The pace was so fast that the pace rival he dueled with finished last beaten twenty-eight lengths. He shortened up to five and a half furlongs and returned from an eighty-four day layoff on August 7 where he was bet down to the 9-5 second choice in this field and opening quarter of a mile and trip too fast and sharp for his taste. According to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, “broke a bit cross-footed, settled 3-wide, tracking the pace, pushed forward in the turn, took dead aim, spat the bit instead, faded the final furlong.” He tracked a fast pace for the first quarter of a mile as the 21.51 second opening quarter was the second fastest first quarter at this distance through the first twenty-nine races on this trip through Saturday’s card. This fast pace resulted in the favorite, I’ve Got No Munny, to rally from last along the rail to win. He now stretches out after back to back chasing or pressing fast paces in his last two starts and being on the lead after the first pace and second call at this one mile trip has proven to be a successful running style. Through the conclusion of Saturday’s card, thirteen races (33%) were won by horses on the lead after the first call and sixteen races (40%) were won by horses after the second call. Laurel River’s early speed stretching out to one mile will see this bay colt in the lead and if he sets the pace he could continue that successful trend of gate-to-wire winners on this trip as my second BEST BET on the card. 

The Play: 

WIN bet on (7) LAUREL RIVER at 9-5 or better. 

Main Exacta: 7 with 3,8. No reverse. 

Race 10: Starter Allowance, 1-Mile Turf, Three-year olds and upward 

MUAY THAI (#4, 8-1) is a horse that has been bothered by back to back troubled trips in his races this meet and is the only horse to make my horses to watch list twice for one meet. The Irish-bred Accalamtion gelding was sent off as the 7-2 second choice in his North America debut on July 23, 2021 here at Del Mar and according to the short comment in your past performances it says Bid 4 deep, faltered. He had a more difficult trip than that comment would indicate. He broke from post position seven in an eight horse field and was parked three wide into the first turn and down the backstretch, racing without cover for the first half mile and the trip did not get any better from here. He launched a four wide move into and around the far turn and sustained that bid all the way to mid-stretch before the wide trip and 116 day layoff caught up to him as he flattened out on his run to finish fifth. I upgraded this effort because of the long layoff and the wide journey cost him his best chance. He made his first start off the claim for John Sadler and his main client Hronis Racing LLC on August 20 at Del Mar where the comment said bumped, checked late. Once again the video replay reveals a lot more than the short comment would indicate. According to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, he “bobbled at the start, raced outside of ROOKIE YEAR off the pace down the backstretch, angled down to the fence, came out with his run near deep stretch, bumping and bothering PLAY CHICKEN, gained between horses deep stretch, was bumped and forced out by VANTAGE POINT bumping ROOKIE YEAR, checked hard late to lose all chance.” He ultimately was disqualified and placed sixth but he had another troubled trip. This closer will need pace and he will get it on the final race of the meet with Stone’s River the confirmed pacesetter in the finale with Ox Bridge and Cane Creek Road two horses that will chase or press Stone’s River early. From post position four, regular rider Joe Bravo will have him covered up into the first turn, save ground, and with a clean trip visit the Winner’s Circle for a meet that Jersey Joe has established him as one of the top riders to challenge Flavien Prat for leading rider in Southern California. 

The Play: 

WIN bet on (4) MUAY THAI at 4-1 or higher. 

Main Exacta: 4 with 7,9. Small reverse. 

 

Spielberg Looks for the Spot Light in Del Mar Futurity

 Race 7: N.K. ROCKET MAN (#11, 10-1)

The morning line favorite and bridesmaid Tropical Terror who has finished second in six of his last nine starts routing on the turf including last time out when he missed by a nose behind slow early pace set by the gate to wire winner Hammering Lemon. Do not be fooled by his margin of defeat to indicate that today will be the day he breaks his maiden. In some of his other runner up efforts, Tropical Terror lost by a neck, three quarters of a length, and a half length as this Golden Balls gelding always comes up short. Instead, I went back to my horses to watch this meet and landed on N.K. ROCKET MAN who after reviewing the past performances one can say that his debut on August 8 was nothing more than a prep to stretch him out to two turns, a distance that his pedigree suggests he will adore. He is by terrific turf influence Unusual Heat out of the dam This Means War who won her first two starts on turf including one mile California bred Allowance N1X for today’s trainer Dean Pederson. Her second dam, Top Of Our Game, is another turf influence as she won four of eighteen starts on the turf and was stakes placed on the turf. Based on a limited sample, trainer Dean Pederson was winless with his previous two starters making their debut sprinting on the turf and with his distance oriented pedigree and trainer that prefers to give his maidens a race in their first start, N.K. Rocket Man was using his August 8 race as nothing more than a prep to stretch out and that is exactly how one can explain his fourth place finish. According to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, he “ran inside midpack, reacting badly to tight quarters entering the turn, throwing his head, gathering himself for a rail effort in the lane, outkicked for 3rd. He can learn a ton from the trip today.” The one area that was not described in the Handicapper’s Report that I saw on the race replay was the gallop out. According to Trip Notes Pros, on the gallop out he “EXPLODED despite the jock trying not to give him permission to.” There is definetly a lot more substance in N.K. Rocket Man as he makes his second career start and stretches out to one mile for the first time. He has come back with three workouts to indicate he has maintained his form and jockey Thiago Pereira remains in the irons as the go to rider for Dean Pederson barn. With the added ground, better than looked debut effort sprinting on turf, and only making his second career start with plenty of upside in front of him, N.K. ROCKET MAN is the type of choice I prefer in this maiden turf event with the favorite a proven bridesmaid. 

Wagering Strategies:

WIN bet on (11) N.K. ROCKET MAN at 6-1 or better. 

Main Exacta part-wheel: #11 with #9 Carmelita’s Man, #6 Luvluv, #2 Mamba Cool. Small reverse. 

Race 8: SHANGHAI TRUFFLE (#6, 12-1)

Each Del Mar meet there is always one horse that I identify has tough trips not identified in the running lines and runs in the final week of the meet. This Allowance N1X sprint at six and half furlongs on the main track sees the early pace breaking from post positions two thru four among Magic at Midnight, Happier, and Golden Principal with Magic at Midnight and Golden Prinicipal the quickest early with comparable Moss Pace Figures on the main track and second choice Happier broke her maiden disputing a moderate pace and could be part of this fast pace. If the pace becomes too fast this race could set up perfectly for the late run of SHANGHAI TRUFFLE who has run twice this meet and each race she encountered difficult circumstances that compromised her chances. She returned from a 74 day layoff on July 27 at this same class level at one mile on the main track and tired to be a non threatening third behind the favored winner Harvest Moon but she was compromised by track profile on that afternoon. According to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, she “dropped onto the rail heading into the first turn, traveled midfield down the backstretch, bid between foes in the far turn, flattened out midstretch, best of the rest.” What made this effort better than looked was she raced on the rail for the majority of the trip chasing that very fast pace set by Velvet Queen on a main track that featured a strong pro outside bias and this daughter of Shanghai Bobby was pinned on the slower inside paths behind a winner that returned to win Grade 3 Torrey Pines with a 90 Beyer Speed Figure. The Patty Gallagher trainee broke her maiden for a $50,000 and was eligible for a Starter Allowance event at the same one mile distance on August 16 and the class relief did not help as she finished third but this time her excuse was ill timed ride by jockey Mike Smith. According to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, she “raced three-wide at the back of the pack into the first turn, sent five-wide around foes to the front heading onto the backstretch, pushed the tempo three-deep to the far turn, battled four-wide into the lane, stayed on to the wire, won the battle for third.” She lost more ground than the 3-¼ length margin of defeat as she was moved prematurely to press that fast pace while widest in the field. She now makes that all important cut back to one turn with the aforementioned three entrants flashing early speed to set up for her late kick with Thiago Pereira taking in the irons for the first time. The field’s leader in TimeformUS late pace rating, SHANGHAI TRUFFLE is my best longshot bet on the card and I hope we can be anywhere near his 12-1 morning line. 

Wagering Strategies: 

WIN bet on (6) SHANGHAI TRUFFLE at 10-1 or higher. 

Main Exacta part-wheel: #6 with #2 Magic at Midnight, #7 Been Studying Her. Small reverse for each. 

 

Race 9: INNER GHOST (#12, 15-1)

I do not have anything negative to say about the tepid morning line favorite Rombauer who broke his maiden in his career debut at today’s distance on July 25 here at Del Mar where he finished his last two furlongs in 22.93 seconds defeating two next out winners who returned to earn Beyer Speed Figures of 50 and 48 respectively. Although the European imports Cotopaxi and Ebeko have had comments of making the running or led, the early speed displayed in European does not equal to North America early speed. The one colt that has flashed North America early speed and is attempting to stretch that speed to two turns is INNER GHOST who ships in from Monmouth Park to make his first start around two turns. The homebred son of Ghostzapper is bred to excel at a route of ground as his sire wins at 17% with his two year olds routing on turf and his dam Dreamup won one of three starts as a two-year old and was three for three routing on the main track. She is trained Michael Stidham who excels with two year olds making their debut on the turf sprinting as he has connected at a gaudy 43% (30/13-4-4) the last five years which explains why Inner Ghost received action in his career debut going off at 9-2 third choice and delivered a visually impressive maiden winner that is not captured in his 50 Beyer Speed Figure. According to Trip Notes Pros comments, he “was in the middle of (2) different 3-across lineups in this race with the same horses. Approaching the far turn he and the inside rival dropped back to allow the three wide rival to cross over. At the top of the stretch he and the original inside rival moved up two wide and three wide to form the 2nd 3-across lineup. Gamely battled and won the prolonged stretch drive. Liked the way he galloped out.” He will now make his first start routing on turf in his second career start and in the past five years trainer Michael Stidham has won at 28% (18/5-2-4) with that move. In addition, the trainer and owner tandem have sent winning shippers to Del Mar with Elsa (November 24, 2018, $11.40-1), Alms (November 30, 2019, $2.70-1), and recently with Pixelate in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby. Jockey Drayden Van Dyke who quietly has ridden six turf wins this meet with some of those prices such as Red Lark in Del Mar Oaks takes over in the irons for the first time and the leader in TimeformUS early pace rating is a clear leader in TimeformUS pace projector and I expect him to be on the lead and make every pole a winning one at a fair price as his morning line appears too high. 

Wagering Strategies:

WIN bet on (12) INNER GHOST at 6-1 or better. 

Main Exacta part-wheel: #12 with #10 Rombauer. Small reverse. 

Race 10: SPIELBERG (#1, 2-1)

This race features the two year olds that ran on August 8 at Del Mar. On that afternoon, Grade 2 Best Pal was won by today’s entrant Weston and four races later a maiden race at the exact same six furlong distance as the Best Pal. The maiden race featured fractions and final time that was faster than the Best Pal and the top two finishers, Dr. Schivel and Spielberg, returned to this spot. Although the former defeated the latter by 5-¾ lengths to earn the field’s highest last race 86 Beyer Speed Figure, I was more impressed by SPIELBERG’s second place finish as he moved early to attack the dueling leaders Noble Reflection and Superman Shaq and was run down by the perfect trip stalking winner who was making his third career start. A cheasnut son of Union Rags who cost $1 million at the Keeneland September 2019 sale which was the highest purchase price from the 63 yearlings by Union Rags at the sale. He was always bred to adore distance of ground as his dam, Miss Sequel, won three of seven starts around two turns on the main track and her only foal to race, High Road, won two of six starts routing on the main track. He received all the support going off as the 4-5 post time favorite with the traditional fast Bob Baffert workouts that impressed mornings observers such as National Turf’s Andy Harrington who raved about this colt’s workouts on July 27 and August 2 with B+ and his barn had sent out two debuting maidens to win in their first start already in the meeting. Breaking from the outermost post position eight in a eight horse, he “tracked the top two, pushing forward 3-wide in the turn, driving to the lead in upper stretch, having no response for the winner, keeping on to hold 2nd,” according to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes. The validity of that speed figure was confirmed when the fourth place finisher, Waspirant, returned on August 29 to break his maiden with a 63 Beyer Speed Figure (seven point improvement) and the pace rival that weakened to finish sixth, second choice Superman Shaq, came back on September 6 to break his maiden impressively by 3-¾ lengths. Although he is a maiden making his second start in this prestigious Grade 1 event, trainer Bob Baffert accomplished the same feat in 2014 when beaten favorite in his debut came back in the Del Mar Futurity and romped and that horse’s name was American Pharoah. Spielberg has continued to train very well for his second start with back to back B workouts according to the Handicapper’s Report clocker. He leads the field in TimeformUS early pace ratings and has the early speed from the rail to make the lead or can elect to stalk if Dixie’s Two Stents and Weston elect to go for the early lead with Abel Cedillo the ideal passenger. As the second choice in this field of six, I expect Spielberg to improve over his debut as my most probable winner on the card. 

Wagering Strategies:

WIN bet on (1) SPIELBERG at 8-5 or better. 

Main Exacta part-wheel: #1 with #5 Dixie’s Two Stents. Small reverse. 

Race 11: KLONDIKE CREEK (#4, 9-2)

With the dirt sprinter, I’m Busy, entered in this field and that entrant has been on the lead or no more than 1-½ lengths off the lead at the first pace call in his previous seven starts. This race will have an honest pace. Others in this field that look to be forwardly placed on or near the front end are Fabozzi and R Cha Cha as both entrants have triple digit plus TimeformUS early pace ratings and exit dirt sprints. This race is ripe for a horse from just off the pace and no horse fits that profile perfectly then seven year old KLONDIKE CREEK who enters this race in good form having hit the board in his previous four starts with two of them victories, one of the turf and the other on the Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields. Prior to his better than third place finish in his last turf start, he won the Tapeta surface on February 7 where he found himself in second pressing at a very slow early pace according to the Moss Pace Figures (-13,-12) earning corresponding blue coded TimeformUS pace figures. It took the entire length of the stretch for Klondike Creek to wear down the long time leader Irrefutable to win by a neck as the 1-1 favorite. This race was not a strong race as the six horses behind him produced two third-place finishes and four off the board finishes. He returned from a 107 day layoff on May 24 at 1-1/16 miles on the turf and he finished third beaten a half length behind the 32-1 winner who rallied from ninth and last. According to the Trip Note Pros comments, he “secured the dreaded uncovered three to four wide trip throughout. Moved up willingly while still wide on the far turn. Put in a rally in the lane but was out finished late by the top two.” He deserves a pass for this race given the amount of ground he lost throughout. He makes returned off another 106 day layoff but has trained very well ending with five furlong move in 1:02 flat that Handicapper’s Report clocker gave a B working in company Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf runner up Ivy League with the comment “galloping out a length in front down to the 7/8 pole in 49.3, appearing best, a good work.” He is drawn well in post position four to navigate a ground saving trip into the first turn and makes a huge rider upgrade to Flavien Prat as he and Umberto Rispoli are going down to the last day to determine the leading rider of the summer Del Mar meet. 

Wagering Strategies:

WIN bet on (4) KLONDIKE CREEK at 3-1 or better. 

Main Exacta part-wheel: #4 with #1 Fabozzi, #9 Three Ay Em. Small reverse for each. 

Del Mar Race 7 Pick 5

Race 7: (2) Mamba Cool, (6) Luvluv, (9) Carmelita’s Man, (11) N.K. Rocket Man 

Race 8: (2) Magic at Midnight, (6) Shanghai Truffle, (7) Been Studying Her 

Race 9: (10) Rombauer, (12) INNER GHOST  

Race 10: (1) SPIELBERG

Race 11: (1) Fabozzi, (4) Klondike Creek, (9) Three Ay Em 

Ticket 1: 2,6,9,11 with 2,6,7 with 12 with 1 with 1,4,9      = 4 x 3 x 1 x 1 x 3 x $1 = $36 

Ticket 2: 2,6,9,11 with 2,6,7 with 10,12 with 1 with 1,4,9 = 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 x 3 x $0.50 = $36 

Total Wager: $72 

  

Illumination Looks to Repeat History in the Del Mar Debutante

 Race 8: CANOODLING (#6, 8-1)

I have no knocks on the two morning line favorites, Madone and Ivy League, as those two juvenile fillies ran first and second at this distance in their debut on July 31 at Del Mar and they finished 4-½ lengths in front of the rest of the field as both are eligible to move forward. The second preference goes to Madone because of a better draw but the price potential in the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf goes to CANOODLING who also debuted on that same July 31 that two morning line favorites but did so in a five furlong turf sprint. The daughter of Pioneer of the Nile was sent off as the fifth choice at 6-1 in her debut as she did not have a particularly strong pedigree for turf or a trainer that does well with debuting maidens sprinting on the turf.  She by respectable 13% turf sire out of the dam unraced Harlan’s Holiday mare Miz Kella who produced one starter, Vanilla Bean Back, who broke her maiden in her career debut sprinting on the main track with a 66 Beyer Speed Figure and this was going to be her first turf starter. Trainer Jeff Mullins has sent only ten starters to make their debut sprinting on the turf recording only two second place finishes and one third. She had trained very well for her debut recording a B work according to National Turf’s Andy Harrington outwokring debut winner and Del Mar Debutante starter Roll Up Mo Money and this work rolled over to her debut victory on July 31 where she was visually impressive. According to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, she “was a ½ step slow and broke a bit in at the start, had one beat down the backstretch, gained along the rail around the far turn, angled out three-wide between horses leaving that bend and into the stretch, powered to the front near deep stretch, drew clear to the wire.” The part that was impressive about this maiden win was her gallop out as she continued on past the wire suggesting the distance should pose no issue and she had more to give after this race. The dark bay or brown filly now stretches out and has returned with four workouts including a razor sharp five furlong move in 1:01.3 on August 30 that National Turf’s Andy Harrington raved with a B+ stating this filly “leveled out quite well this morning reaching like a good thing in 26.0, 101.3. There is upside here.” Juan Hernandez who was aboard for that victory remains in the irons and although trainer Jeff Mullins is winless in his previous fourteen starters making their first route race in their second career start, CANOODLING has the ability and potential to overcome that statistic to score the minor upset.  

Wagering Strategies:

WIN bet on (6) CANOODLING at 4-1 or better. 

Main Exacta Box: #6-#2 Madone and #6-#11 Ivy League. 

Race 9: ILLUMINATION (#5, 4-1)

The universal single in this year’s Del Mar Debutante belongs to the fancied Bob Baffert morning line favorite PRINCESS NOOR who broke her maiden by 2-½ lengths in a gallop on August 22 and delivered an impressive gallop out according to the Trip Note Pros earning the field’s top last race 76 Beyer Speed Figure. If she wins then she wins at odds below her morning line of 8-5 but I do not trust flashy maiden winners such as this daughter of Not This Time considering the conditions she encountered her win. According to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, she “was asked to take the front, setting a solid unmolested tempo, cruising clear into the stretch without being asked, pulling away once again when given a brief shake of the rein.” Despite this “in hand” victory, she was able to be loose on the lead through very slow early fractions earning below average Moss Pace Figures (-7, -5) with corresponding blue coded TimeformUS pace figures earning an average 81 TimeformUS Speed Figure. Instead I prefer the higher priced Bob Baffert entrant in ILLUMINATION who has a similar profile as last year’s Debutante winner Bast. The daughter of Uncle Mo ran second in her career debut, added the blinkers for the first time in the Debutante, and she broke her maiden in this race by 8-¾ lengths earning 85 Beyer Speed Figure. A daughter of Medaglia D’Oro was highly regarded at the Fasig Tipton Saratoga August 2019 sale as she was sixth highest priced yearling at $900,000 from the 39 yearlings by that sire and she comes from a black type mare in Light the City who won her first two starts including the Anokia Stakes and was Grade 1 placed as a three year old. The Bob Baffert trainee was bet down to the 3-5 post time favorite on August 15 where she ran second behind the perfect trip stalking debut winner Forest Caraway who appears in this race but this dark bay or brown filly ran a respectable race considering the pace she chased or pressed. In that race, she broke running but quickly was outsprinted by the very fast second time starter Mandragora Seeker who set fractions of 21.43 and 44.44 seconds earning above average Moss Pace Figures (+8,+3) and corresponding red coded TimeformUS pace figures. She bid between rivals at the top of the stretch and fought gamely towards the wire to hold her stablemate Kalypso for second while racing on her wrong lead to the wire which is very rare for a Bob Baffert trainee. The third place finisher returned on September 4 to run second beaten half length in a maiden race. She has returned with two workouts with the blinkers including a five furlong team move working inside of her stablemate and morning line favorite Princess Noor on August 31 in 1:01 flat that National Turf’s Andy Harrington stated “easy albeit a tad second best inside Princess Noor in 37.3, 101.1. Solid right back; was in blinkers.” Abel Cedillo remains aboard and with the blinkers I do not expect her to go straight for the lead but similar to Bast last year settle just off the pace between Princess Noor and My Girl Red and if she switches leads as she has done in her morning drills then she can give her fancied mate a run for her money at much a higher price. 

Wagering Strategies:

WIN bet on (5) ILLUMINATION at 4-1 or better. 

Main Exacta part-wheel: #5 with #3 My Girl Red, #6 Forest Caraway. Small reverse for each. 

Race 10: PIXELATE (#4, 3-1) 

The three-year old turf division in Southern California has taken turns beating each other in the past three months. The three major events in Southen California for three year old turf horses are the Cinema won by Hariboux, opening day Del Mar feature Oceanside Stakes won by Hit it a Bomb, and recently the La Jolla Stakes won by Smooth Like Strait. The Del Mar Derby is the fourth race in this division and a fresh face with excellent East Coast turf form ships in for the money. PIXELATE is accustomed to a variety of turf conditions as Del Mar will be his eighth turf course he has tried as he has won or ran second at Arlington Park, Belmont Park, Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, Churchill Downs, and Delaware Park. The homebred son of City Zip has not found the winner’s circle in his last three starts but he has earned speed figures in each start that equal to a winning effort in this event and he has faced some of the East Coast best three year old turf horses in his last two starts. He was sent off as the 5-2 third choice in the Audubon Stakes on June 20 at Churchill Downs where his rally was ineffective behind a moderate early pace set by the gate to wire winner Field Pass who returned to win the Translyvania Stakes at Keeneland on July 12 with a 86 Beyer Speed Figure. The Michael Stidham trainee shipped to Delaware Park for the Grade 3 Kent on July 4 and ran a winning race in defeat but was out kicked to the wire by the favored winner Gufo in a race that has returned to be very productive. The dark bay or brown colt settled into a comfortable spot early racing two wide on first turn and down the backstretch behind a fast pace set by the loose leader Sunsation early. He continued racing two wide on the far turn, angled four wide at top of the stretch, put in his bid past mid-stretch but was out kicked by Gufo who rallied from next to last and made the last run to win by a half length in a new course record that earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure as those two finished three lengths clear of third place finisher. The validity of that speed figure was confirmed when the winner returned to run second beaten a head in the Saratoga Derby earning 93 Beyer Speed Figure and third place finisher Vanzzy returned to win the Jersey Derby on July 26 at Monmouth Park with a 86 Beyer Speed Figure. He will make his first start off a sixty four day layoff for a trainer who in the past five years has shipped eight starters to Del Mar and has won twice with Elsa (November 24, 2018, $11.40-1) and Alms (November 30, 2019, $2.70-1) both winners owned and bred by today’s owner Godolphin LLC. He has tactical speed to sit in midpack at what should be a brisk pace with hustling rider Edwin Maldonando taking on Dominant Soul and Margot’s Boy tracking that rival into the first turn and down the backstretch. Del Mar’s leading turf rider, Umberto Rispoli (33 turf wins), should navigate a ground saving trip from post four and when the real running begins, have dead aim on the tiring leaders as the most probable winner on the card. 

Wagering Strategy: 

WIN bet on (4) PIXELATE at 9-5 or better. 

Main Exacta part-wheel: #4 with #2 California Kook, #11 Margot’s Boy, #12 K P All Systems Go. No reverse. 

Race 11: BIG STORY (#9, 9-2) 

When I review the horses that have a race under them I am not impressed with them making me prefer a fresh face in the Sunday finale at Del Mar. The morning line favorite Big Flame ran second in his career debut behind Taco Flavored Kisses in a race where the third thru fifth place finishers also returned in this event. The race itself had a moderate early pace with the first three finishers running second, first, and third at each call and earned an average 63 Beyer Speed Figure (Beyer par 65). The form of that race was not flattered when the winner returned to finish third beaten 4-¾ lengths in the I’m Smokin Stakes on September 4 here at Del Mar and third thru fifth place finishers were in a three horse photo finish for the minor awards as visually this was not an impressive race. The other horse with experience, Alpine Thunder, received positive comments from Trip Notes Pros with the comment “galloped out HUGE.” The issue with his race was it happened 107 days ago and he was a veterieran scratch on June 28 in a similar maiden race at Los Alamitos. The winner of that May 22 race, Positivity, won the Graduation Stakes earning a below average 60 Beyer Speed Figure and from the five horses that ran behind the winner it has produced only one third place finish with four horses off the board in their next race. From the horses making their career debut in the finale, BIG STORY was the entrant that appealed to me the most. Although from a pedigree perspective BIG STORY is not bred to win at this six furlong distance as his sire, Mr. Big, has won at 7% (2-for-29) in the past five years with two-year old sprinting on the main track and he is out of an unraced dam and Big Story in her first starter. However, trainer Mark Glatt historically has done well with debuting maidens sprinting on the main track at Del Mar and this gelding has really impressed National Turf’s Andy Harrington in his training to suggest he can overcome his lack of precoious breeding to win in his career debut. In the past five years, trainer Mark Glatt has sent twelve two-year olds making their debut sprinting on the main track at Del Mar and connected with only two of them for a 17% win rate but those two winners were not favored. Collusion Illusion (July 21, 2019, $5.20-1) and Vai (August 28, 2016, $8.00-1) were ready to win their debut for trainer Mark Glatt and My Mandate (August 12, 2018, $6.80-1) ran second in his first start. The gray or roan gelding has thrived in his training with his last two workouts here at Del Mar receiving B from National Turf’s Andy Harrington including a five furlong team drill in 1:01 3/5 with stablemate and today’s rival Suzie Qzz Brother on August 28 that he stated “tracked and ran away from race mate Suzie Qzz Brother in a faster than given 25.0, 49.3, 101.3. Nice kick here.” In a race where the horses with experience are below average, BIG STORY brings excellent worktab and trainer who has done with well debuting maidens at Del Mar to suggest that this gelding is ready and roll in his first start as he lures leading rider Umberto Rispoli in the irons. 

Wagering Strategies:

WIN bet on (9) BIG STORY at 7-2 or better. 

Main Exacta part-wheel: #9 with #10 Big Flame, #4 Lil Nas. No reverse. 

Del Mar Race 8 Pick 4

Race 8: (2) Madone, (6) Canoodling, (11) Ivy League 

Race 9: (3) My Girl Red, (5) ILLUMINATION, (6) Forest Caraway 

Race 10: (4) PIXELATE

Race 11: (9) BIG STORY

Main Ticket: 2,6,11 with 5 with 4 with 9 = 3 x 1 x 1 x 1 x $5 = $15

Ticket 1:    2,6,11 with 3,6 with 4 with 9 = 3 x 2 x 1 x 1 x $2 = $12 

Total Wager: $27

Del Mar Race 8 Pick 3

Race 8: (2) Madone, (6) Canoodling, (11) Ivy League 

Race 9: (3) My Girl Red, (5) ILLUMINATION, (6) Forest Caraway 

Race 10: (4) PIXELATE

Ticket 1: 2,6,11 with 5 with 4    = 3 x 1 x 1 x $4 = $12 

Ticket 2: 2,6,11 with 3,6 with 4 = 3 x 2 x 1 x $2 = $12 

Total Wager: $24 

 

Del Mar Race 9 Pick 3

Race 9: (3) My Girl Red, (5) ILLUMINATION, (6) Forest Caraway 

Race 10: (4) PIXELATE

Race 11: (9) BIG STORY

Ticket 1: 5 with 4 with 9    = 1 x 1 x 1 x $5 = $5 

Ticket 2: 3,6 with 4 with 9 = 2 x 1 x 1 x $2 = $4 

Total Wager: $9 

Higher Power Looks for the Repeat in the Pacific Classic

 Race 7: PROUD PEDRO (#6, 12-1)

The morning line favorite and the deserving one is United who comes into this race having won three straight since narrow defeats in last year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf and Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup. The son of Giant’s Causeway has really benefited from ideal trips in each of his three wins as he stalked a very fast early pace to enough red coded TimeformUS pace figures in Grade 2 San Marcos on February 1, launched a wide run to grab the lead between horses past mid-stretch and held off the late run of Cleopatra’s Strike and Oscar Dominguez in a race that saw the five horses behind him return to finish second, third, and three off the board finishes. In his next two starts, he sat perfect pace prompting a trip in second behind moderate early pace in the Grade 2 Whittingham and Eddie Read, took the lead in deep stretch, and held off the late run of Rockemperor and Sharp Samurai respectively. He makes his third race off a 112 day layoff and he is no standout from a speed figure standpoint as his last race 122 TimeformUS Speed Figure does not give him an advantage over the rest of the field and he will have to concede anywhere from three to seven pounds. Instead my choice was visually impressive in his only start at today’s mile and three-eighths trip and owns a devastating late kick. 

PROUD PEDRO has improved as a four-year old with two victories from four starts and has thrived since stretching out to a mile and a quarter and longer. The Pedro the Great colt finished in front of subsequent Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano winner Red King in his first start at ten furlongs on February 23 at Santa Anita where he raced in traffic between rivals in the two path around both turns, angled three wide at the top of the stretch, rallied to grab the lead past mid-stretch and held off the late bid of long shot Farquhar to win by three-quarters of a length. He returned from a 89 day layoff and delivered a rare sub par performance finishing last in an eight horse field as Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes stated this was a “very puzzling performance from the usually sure-fire Powell trainee.” This was a stronger than normal Allowance N2X as the winner returned to win the Oceanside Stakes with 87 Beyer Speed Figure, sixth-place finisher Kazan returned to win $40,000 claiming event with 89 Beyer Speed Figure, and fifth place finisher Order and Law returned two starts later to win at this same class level with a 91 Beyer Speed Figure. The Leonard Powell trainee returned from a brief 63 day freshening at today’s distance and was a visually impressive winner that is not described in his 93 Beyer Speed Figure. According to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, he “broke a touch slow, ambling on his own rhythm at the back 4 lengths down, coiling up turning for home, wheeling out for the stretch, producing a sustained kick, making the front in the final strides.” What makes this performance excellent was he rallied from fifth and last behind a very slow early pace earning blue coded TimeformUS pace figures where he was the only horse to rally against the grain of the race shape as North County Guy prompted this tepid pace in second. He earned a 125 TimeformUS Speed Figure which is the highest last race speed figure in this field and only one point behind United’s best speed figure. He smoked his last three-eighths in 34.60 seconds and the lack of pace he found in his last start should be present with longshots Big Buzz going for the early lead pressed by outclassed New Year on or near the front end. He has come back with two works including a “leg stretching,” half mile maintenance move in 50.2 on August 15 according to the Handicapper’s Report clocker. Juan Hernandez remains in the irons and he can duplicate his Allowance N2X win in this race getting seven pounds from the favorite United he can spring an upset in the opening leg of the late Pick 5. 

Wagering Strategies: 

WIN bet on (6) PROUD PEDRO at 8-1 or better

Main Exacta part-wheel: #6 with #5 Ward N Jerry and #7 Red King. 

Small Exacta: #7 Red King with #6 Proud Pedro. 

Race 8: KERSHAW (#8, 9-2)

The morning line favorite belongs to Extra Hope who will make his four-year old seasonal debut off a 273 day layoff. The son of Shanghai Bobby was last seen finishing second behind the gate to wire winner Midcourt in last November’s Grade 3 Native Diver Handicap at mile and an eighth in a race that saw the first two finishers run first and second at each call as the race developed at slow pace according to the Moss Pace Figures (-4,-5). The Richard Mandella trainee has returned to work splendidly over the Del Mar main track with three consecutive B workouts according to the Handicapper’s Report clocker. The concern from this corner is the effect of the extended layoff have to do with his fitness for this race as trainer Richard Mandella has won at 30% rate (3-for-10) in the past five years with his dirt starters returning off a 250 to 300 day layoff but those three wins were at six furlongs (twice) and six and a half furlongs and the lone route start was Belle Hill who finished sixth at 3-1 returning off a 260 day layoff. His uncoupled entrymate, Take the One O One, I will use as one of my contenders but the top choice has shown better than looked form in his previous two starts that makes him good value play against the two favorites. 

KERSHAW has not visited the winner circle since February 23 at today’s distance when he won at this same Allowance N2X class level going gate to wire. Since that race, he has managed to hit the board only once in four subsequent starts but two of them I am going to draw a line right through. He finished off the board on a wet fast and sealed main track on April 19 at Oaklawn where he battled with pace rival Shang through fast fractions according to the Moss Pace Figures (+11,+6) and tired to finish sixth on a surface he proved in his three previous starts he detest a off track. His other off the board finish was in the San Juan Capistrano on turf where he failed to hit the board in his previous start and he was used as a rabbit for his uncouple stablemate and eventual winner Red King. In his fourth place finish behind Ax Man on May 16 he suffered a wide trip as he was parked two to three wide around the first turn, four wide down the backstretch, launched a four wide run to loom outside of the first two finishers at the top of the stretch, and flattened out on his run at mid-stretch to be fourth where the first two finishers ran second and first at each call with Kershaw losing ground throughout in a tough trip. His other better than looked effort was his last start when he returned to the level of his lone win this year but was risked for the optional claiming price of $62,500 on July 25 where he ran much better than the Inside game 3rd comment found in your past performances. According to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, this son of Run Away and Hide was “sent to show speed then stalked inside around the first turn, tracked down the backstretch, ridden along around the far turn, had a huge opening to rally through into the drive, dead aim, not good enough.” This was a faster than average Allowance N2X that saw the winner Dark Vader earn a 95 Beyer Speed Figure but what makes this effort better than looked was the bias he was up against. According to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, the outside lanes were clearly best on July 25 and Kershaw was pinned on this bad rail throughout while the winner raced off the rail in the two or three path and runner up had three to four wide trip throughout as Kershaw was clearly compromised by the bias. He has come back with two decent B- works according to the Handicapper’s Report clocker and finds a field without a lot of front running early speed as Take the One O One is the field’s clear pacesetter. From his outside draw, Kershaw should get a great trip pressing or stalking the pacesetter in the clear and return to his winning ways at a hint of a price for trainer Phil D’Amato. 

Wagering Strategies: 

WIN bet on (8) KERSHAW at 7-2 or better. 

Main Exacta part-wheel: #8 with #4 Take the One O One, #3 Potantico. 

Small Exacta: #4 Take the One O One with #8 Kershaw. 

Race 9: GUITTY (#11, 8-1) 

This race has all the markings from a pace standpoint as the Honeymoon Stakes on May 30 at Santa Anita run at this exact same distance of 1-⅛ miles. That race the winner and today’s morning line favorite, Laura’s Light, sat in second behind the runaway speed horse Parkour who sped through very fast fractions earning red coded TimeformUS pace figures and according to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, “reeled in the leader in the far turn, swept to the lead past mid stretch, drifted on to the fence in deep stretch, and just held.” She projects to get a similar trip on Saturday but one rival did not get the cleanest of trips in that same common race and was second to her in the San Clemente will enjoy the stretch out to additional eighth of a mile. 

GUITTY was my top choice in the San Clemente when her late rally fell three-quarters of a length short behind Laura’s Light and she returned to face that rival for the fifth time in her career. Before jockey Juan Hernandez took over in the irons, this French bred daughter of Dunkerque was her own worst enemy by her fifth place finish behind Laura’s Light in the Grade 3 Honeymoon Stakes at today’s nine furlong distance. According to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, she was “forced in at the break and took up linking up with the course proper, traveled keenly at the rear of the field, taken three-wide by her pilot approaching the half-mile pole, circled the field into the far turn, kept coming three-wide in the far turn, carried five-wide into the lane, bid to mid stretch, in tight and steadied, flipped onto her wrong lead, plodded to the wire. The Powell trainee is likely around at the finish with a more patient ride.” Based off this troubled trip, a cut back to one mile, and the likelihood of a very fast pace set by the expected leader Cheermesiter with Laura’s Light not too far behind that brisk pace, Guitty was my top select at 20-1 in the San Clemente and she fell three-quarters of a length short behind her aforementioned rival. The Handicapper’s Report clocker gave her a B for her July 7 move in 49 flat and she ran to her work and better as the Handicapper’s Report trip notes stated “trailed two-deep, came out around the far turn, picked off horses quickly leaving that bend, continued a sustained rally in the stretch, drifted out a bit, couldn’t get to the winner, second best” covering her last quarter of a mile in a field’s best 22.90 seconds and lost nothing in defeat. She did have a fast pace to close into as the early fractions saw it earn red coded TimeformUS pace figures but she projects to get another fast pace as Parkour will flee from post position nine to go for the lead while chased by Laura’s Light and the sprinter stretching out Aqua Seafoam Shame not too far behind and this anticipated fast pace will benefit Guiity who owns the TimeformUS best late pace rating in this field. She has returned with only one work a 47.4 half mile spin on August 13 that Handicapper’s Report clocker gave the very rare A- stating “looked fantastic in this faster than given half mile turf work around the dogs, going off in 12.2, flying around the far turn, passing the 1/4 pole in 23.3 (11.1 around a turn with the dogs up), she was not asked in the stretch, up in 46.4, a really sharp work, it appears the three-year-old grass filly is coming up to a corker.” Juan Hernandez remains in the irons and with her late kick and proven form over the Del Mar turf course, GUITTY is the best value play in the Del Mar Oaks. 

Wagering Strategies: 

WIN bet on (11) GUITTY at 5-1 or better. 

Main Exacta part-wheel: #11 with #3 Miss Extra, #8 Neige Blanche. Small reverse for each. 

Race 10: HIGHER POWER (#2, 3-1) 

The highlight of the Del Mar meeting the Pacific Classic sees the rematch of the first three finishers of the San Diego Handicap with Maximum Security assign the role of morning line favorite at 1-1. According to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, “the New Year’s Day colt led early, relinquished the lead around the first turn, stalked down the backstretch, came under a ride two-deep past the half-mile pole, all-out around the far turn and into the lane, caught the leader past mid stretch, put his head in front, just won the bob.” That was his first start off a 147 day layoff and for trainer Bob Baffert. He has certainly trained like a colt that will move forward in his second start for his Hall of Fame trainer with his last two works over the Del Mar main track a B+ according to Handicapper’s Report clocker including his seven furlong move in 1:25.2 that the clocker stated “much better than he was before the San Diego, he appears to be handling the track much better in preparation for the Pacific Classic.” I am not concerned with his ability or gameness but rather if today’s ten furlong distance is what he really wants at this stage of his career. His two most visually impressive efforts happened around one turn in the Bold Ruler at seven furlongs and Grade 1 Cigar Mile over last year’s Grade 1 BC Dirt Mile winner Spun to Run. As mentioned with Kershaw’s analysis, July 25 saw the main track favoring horses that raced on the outside paths and Maximum Security raced in the three paths from the beginning of the backstretch to the wire. I believe one horse is primed for a repeat victory in the same race he won by five and a quarter lengths and will look for a better trip than in San Diego. 

HIGHER POWER has not visited the winner’s circle since last year’s Pacific Classic where he scored a 9-1 upset over these exact same conditions. The son of 2003 Pacific Classic runner up, Medaglia D’Oro is slowly rounding into form for trainer John Sadler as his two starts off a 133 day layoff indicate he is primed for a winning effort. After his debacle in the Pegasus World Cup, he made his return in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup on June 6 where he received his ideal trip tracking the leader Brown Storm and the favored pace pressing winner Improbable in the three path for the majority of the race sitting just off moderate fractions. He began to be worked on midway on the far turn as Improbable began to spurt away from the field and this bay five-year old chased home that winner finishing well clear of the rest of the field in a highly rated (105 Beyer Speed Figure) that ranks as the fourth fastest races at more than a mile this year and the figure was validated when Improbable returned to win the Grade 1 Whitney with a 106 Beyer Speed Figure. He was training in respectable matter for the Grade 2 San Diego on July 25 with three consecutive B- workouts according to the Handicapper’s Report clocker but the distance would be an issue as his two best races in the past year were at today’s mile and a quarter distance and Higher Power figures to be in trouble at this shorter trip. According to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, he “tracked inside early, moved up and angled out to press the pace and try to put the winner in a box onto the backside, stalked again inside passing the 5/8 pole, outrun leaving the far turn, dropped back in the stretch, distant third.” He was compromised by race riding tactics as jockey Flavien Prat attempted to put the favorite into an uncomfortable position into the backstretch moving early and was forced to race on the rail on a main track that strongly favored outside paths that afternoon. He stretches out to his preferred distance and has trained better for this event with three straight B workouts according to Handicapper’s Report clocker with the comment “a good work for the classy sort, who will be pointed for the Pacific Classic.” I expect the tactics will be Victor Espinoza on Midcourt hustling his mount to the lead with Maximum Security glued to his flank in second. Flavien Prat will be chasing or pressing the pace in the three paths into the first turn and if he can duplicate last year’s win in this year’s Pacific Classic he can give the favorite only the second time he has crossed the wire defeated in a race as my BEST BET on the card. 

Wagering Strategies:

WIN bet on (2) HIGHER POWER at 2-1 or better. 

No other plays. 

Race 11: SHADOW SPHINX (#4, 7-2)

The most important part in handicapping the finale is how the early pace will shape up. The only other horse that can possibly challenge the morning line favorite, Shadow Sphinx, early is recent California bred Allowance winner Ostini and he comes off a win where he took the blinkers off July 12 and rallied from last behind a very fast early pace that earn red coded TimeformUS pace figures and won by a head. If Juan Hernandez takes back on Ostini then SHADOW SPHINX will find himself on the lead and prove to be a tough rival to run down in the finale. He won three of eleven starts as a three-year old including a win and a second in two starts over this Del Mar turf course. After splitting an eleven horse field in his only start as a four year old down the hillside turf course at Santa Anita, he did not race for the remainder of 2019 with an unknown aliment. He returned from a 510 day layoff on June 20 where he ran in a Starter Allowance with optional claiming price of $32,000 where he was risked for the claiming tag in his first start off the extended layoff and he came back better than ever with a convincing victory versus an overmatched field. According to the Handicapper’s Report Trip Notes, “settled just off the pacesetter, traveled beautifully down the backstretch, bore down on the leader in the far turn, took command at the head of the lane, shifted in, kicked away, ridden out.” He earned the field’s top last race 89 Beyer and 111 TimeformUS Speed Figure and what makes that victory more impressive was he pressed the leader Blackout through very fast fractions to earn red coded TimeformUS pace figures that took its toll on the leader as he weakened to finish ninth and last beaten seventeen lengths with Shadow Sphinx won the early battle for the lead and won the war. He returns off a two month freshening with seven workouts none more impressive than his five furlong move in 59.2 on August 2 on this turf course with last year’s Queen Plate winner One Bad Boy that Handicapper’s Report clocker gave a B+ stating “not asked, appearing best in 59.2, an excellent work for the recent winner, who is on top of his game, tab for another huge effort,” making their Fit and Ready list for today. There is not a lot of front running early speed that can challenge this Richard Baltas trained son of Pioneer of the Nile and he should easily make the lead passing the finish line for the first time and make every pole a winning one as the probable post time favorite in a race that will conclude the mandatory Pick 6 and late Pick 5. 

Wagering Strategies: 

WIN bet on (4) SHADOW SPHINX at 9-5 or better. 

Trifecta part-wheel: 4 with 2,5,6 with 2,3,5,6,7,9,10 = $18 for a $1 Wager 

Trifecta part-wheel: 4 with 2,3,5,6,7,9,10 with 2,5,6 = $9 for a $0.50 Wager

Del Mar Race 7 Pick 5

Race 7: (6) Proud Pedro, (7) Red King 

Race 8: (4) Take the One O One, (8) Kershaw 

Race 9: (3) Miss Extra, (8) Neige Blanche, (11) Guitty 

Race 10: (2) HIGHER POWER

Race 11: (4) SHADOW SPHINX 

Main Ticket: 6,7 with 4,8 with 3,8,11 with 2 with 4 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 1 x 1 x $1.50 = $18

Del Mar Race 8 Pick 3

Race 8: (4) Take the One O One, (8) Kershaw 

Race 9: (3) Miss Extra, (8) Neige Blanche, (11) Guitty 

Race 10: (2) HIGHER POWER

Main Ticket: 4,8 with 3,8,11 with 2 = 2 x 3 x 1 x $2 = $12 

Del Mar Race 9 Pick 3

Race 9: (3) Miss Extra, (8) Neige Blanche, (11) Guitty 

Race 10: (2) HIGHER POWER

Race 11: (4) SHADOW SPHINX 

Main Ticket: 3,8,11 with 2 with 4 = 3 x 1 x 1 x $4 = $12