“WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW” – DEL MAR
By Jeff Siegel, 1stbet.com Handicapper & Analyst
(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).
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DEL MAR SPOTLIGHT RACES:
Third Race: Post: 4:03 PT
Top Pick: 4-Riverside (7/2)
Was given a nice sprint prep in his debut last month, lagging to the head of the lane and then finishing with purpose but too late in a hot race for maiden juvenile sprinters. The son of Bernardini stretches out today, switches to hot riding Joe Bravo, and goes for a barn that has superb stats with the second-time starter angle. With a healthy work pattern since raced, the John Sadler-trained colt is certain to step forward with experience and distance, and at 7/2 on the morning line is worth a gamble in the win pool and in the various exotics. For backups, you should consider 2-Carmel Road, a strong third in his sprint debut and, like our top pick, likely to improve stretching out, and the first-timer 5-Secret Treasure, a son of Arrogate with a recent impressive gate drill that indicates real ability.
Seventh Race – Post: 6:03 PT
Top Pick: 8-Let Him Do (7/2)
Good Magic colt was relentless when up late to register a maiden claiming win in his California debut two weeks ago and is wheeled back quickly by new trainer John Sadler in this starter’s allowance sprint for juveniles. Drawn comfortably outside, he can stalk, pounce, and go, just as he did in his recent victory and with only moderate amount of improvement, he can score right back at 7/2 on the morning line. Others to consider in your exotics include 1-Silver Lightning, a runaway maiden $32,000 winner in his debut but stuck on the rail, and 2-Man Oh Man, probably the quickest colt in the field and likely to stick much better in this softer spot.
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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-4)
1st race: 7-Storming Machine; 5-Candy Caramel; 4-Ah Jeez
2nd race: 3-She’s So Pretty; 4-Secret Square; 2-Morning Addiction
3rd race: 4-Riverside; 2-Carmel Road; 5-Secret Treasure
4th race: 2-Tangledupingrey; 3-Reckless Affair; 7-Stone Point
(Races 5-8)
5th race: 8-Annie Graham; 13-Busy Paynter; 7-Larimar
6th race: 5-A Little Bit Crazy; 2-Sensible Move; 10-Candy On Top
7th race: 8-Let Him Do; 1-Silver Lightning; 2-Man Oh Man
8th race: 8-A Good Law; 1-Dear Beau
DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
FIRST RACE:
Ah Jeez (August 19, Del Mar, 4f, :47.3h). Grade: B
In blinkers, ridden a bit through the lane and did quite well, final quarter in :23.4 while finishing in full stride for D. O’Neill. Seems certain to improve with the addition of the hood and a race under his belt.
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Jerry Jeff Walker (August 14, Del Mar, 5f, 1:02.3hg). Grade: B-
Went a couple of ticks slower on our watches than given but was never really asked much inside Hondo Crouch (same time) for S. Miyadi, splits of :24.4, :36.4, :49.3 and 1:03 flat, head-and-head when pulled up. Grazen colt is hard to gauge but probably has more ability than his modest work tab would indicate.
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THIRD RACE:
Carmel Road (August 21, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.2h). Grade: B
In blinkers, worked outside Massimo (same time) for B. Baffert and did well in easy move, hard held early and mostly on his own late, head-and-head from the half mile pole to the wire on our watches in :24.4 and :48.2. Finished a respectable third as the favorite in is debut and strikes us as a colt that should step forward with experience and distance.
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Riverside (August 21, Del Mar, 5f, 1:02.1h). Grade: B-
Picked him up approaching the three furlong pole in slow and easy solo move for J. Sadler, coasting to the wire while coming home in :12.2 and :37.3, nice and relaxed. Ran much better than the like will show in his debut and has the pedigree to improve a bunch over a distance of ground.
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Secret Treasure (August 20, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.1hg). Grade: B+
In blinkers, very nice gate drill by juvenile son of Arrogate, never really asked at any stage while proving much best over unnamed (Life Force, worked under dam’s name) (5f, 1:01.2hg), leaving that one far behind with splits of :24.3, :36.1, :48.2 and 1:00.3 on our watches before galloping out six furlongs in 1:14 flat. Long-winded type definitely isn’t a sprinter but has talent and the makings of a promising sort for M. McCarthy.
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Hard to Figure (August 21, Del Mar, 4f, :48.3h). Grade: B
Nice solo half mile breeze for B. Baffert, splits of :24.2 and :48.4 on our watches, steady splits and with plenty left late. Good moving son of Hard Spun finished third in a hot race sprinting in his debut and should come on from that outing very well. No reason he won’t handle a distance of ground.
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SEVENTH RACE:
Merit Song (August 18, Del Mar, 4f, :46.3h). Grade: B+
Went off quickly, was under mild urging late and responded well enough for H. Palma, final three furlongs in :11.2 and :35.1. Has an improving pattern and should fit with juvenile starter allowance foes.
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