“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:
Eighth Race – Post: 5:34 PT
Top Pick: 8-Dandy Warhol (7/2)
Was well-meant in his U.S. in the Oceanside Stakes but lost early position after a slow start, raced in heavy traffic, and never really had a chance to show his best form when sixth, beaten about six lengths, in an outing that doesn’t do him justice. Today, he gets Lasix for the first time, makes a positive jockey switch to U. Rispoli, and shows a nice local turf breeze to tick him over for what should be an improved performance. The Mark Glatt-trained gelding is squarely priced at 7/2 on the morning line and should offer good wagering value in the win pool and in the various exotics. Among those worth including on your ticket are the genuine and consistent 9-Handy Dandy, who sports the always-popular blinkers off angle and has a prior win over the local lawn, and 4-Amner Hall, another removing blinkers and lightly raced with plenty of improvement in him following a promising runner-up effort opening day in the Oceanside.
Ninth Race: Post: 6:04 PT
Top Pick: 1-Procrastination (8/5)
On pure form, this year’s renewal of Sorrento S.-G2 should boil down to two main players but we’re going to take a stand with the Michael McCarthy-trained daughter of Not This Time to beat undefeated Absolutely Zero instead of taking the safe route and including both in rolling exotic play. Simply put, Procrastination has everything we’d want in a wagering single. She’s fast on numbers, has trained extremely well over this track since raced, and should be quick enough to utilize her rail post to good advantage in a race that projects to have a soft opening quarter. Hopefully, we can get close to her morning line of 8/5 on the tote, and she will offer good wagering value if we can.
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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-5)
1st race: 4-Conundrum
2nd race: 10-Fun Money ; 1-Big Hope; 2-Just a Little Luck
3rd race: 3-Good Vibes Only; 4-Subsidize; 1-Crash Corrigan
4th race: 1-Count of Amazonia; 7-Shadow Sphinx; 8-Coast of Roan
5th race 7-Superman Shaq; 10-Sonic Brees; 1-Tom Bombadil
(Races 6-10)
6th race: 2-Going Global; 7-Flippant; 5-Park Avenue
7th race: 6-Abeliefinthislivin; 2-Cave Rock; 8-Practical Move
8th race: 8-Dandy Warhol; 9-Handy Dandy; 4-Anmer Hall
9th race: 1-Procrastination
10th race: 4-Pray for Me Ray; 4-Spycatcher
DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
SECOND RACE:
Big Hopes (July 28, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.3h). Grade: B
In company inside Gun Bullet (same time) for J. Sadler and went nicely throughout while under a hold and never really asked at any stage, final half mile in :12 flat, :36.2 and :49.1 while traveling out to the 7/8 pole with plenty left. Hard to say how much early speed this California-bred daughter of Mr. Big possesses – she might be a distance type down the road – but appears to have some quality.
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Fun Money (August 6, Del Mar, 4f, :49.3h). Grade: B
In blinkers, had to go faster than official final time, as we caught the D. O’Neill-trained filly in :11.3 and :35.4 for the final three furlongs while being ridden a bit in the late stages. Shouldn’t be a maiden much longer.
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THIRD RACE:
Subsidize (August 7, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00h). Grade: B
Picked him up a couple of lengths behind Bizzy Gal (5f, 1:00.4h) at the 3/8 pole and easily went by in the lane while motoring home under mild coaxing only, :11.3 and :35.3 to the wire with plenty left, sharp drill for new trainer P. Miller. New York shipper arrives in good shape as a first-time gelding and looks ready to step forward.
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Rhetoric (August 8, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.4h). Grade: B-
Ridden through the lane and edged clear in the closing stages in company outside Savile Row (5f, 1:01h), final three furlongs in a moderate :12.1 and :36.4 for B. Baffert. Was hoping for a bit more after a facile maiden score at Los Alamitos last month.
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SIXTH RACE:
Going Global (August 7, Del Mar, 5f, 1:03.1h TC DU). Grade: B
Breezed inside Burgoo Alley (same time) and looked fine while finishing under a nice hold to be head-and-head at the wire before galloping out with energy into the clubhouse turn and backstretch. Was a bit flat when beaten at odds-on in the Gamely S.-G1 last time out but has two prior wins over the local lawn and seems likely to bounce back. Workmate, always a willing in the a.m., more than held her own with stable mate but doesn’t have anywhere near the resume.
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Burgoo Alley (August 7, Del Mar, 5f, 1:03.1 TC DU). Grade: B
See Going Global, above.
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SEVENTH RACE:
El Perfecto (August 6, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.1hg). Grade: B-
Received the slower time but was much best in gate drill with Prayforourcountry (5f, 1:01hg) and Auspice (4f, :49.2hg), lacking good gate quickness but picking up steam midway under a nice hold and then finishing with something left while drawing clear in the final furlong, splits of :23.4, :35.2, :47.4 and 1:01 flat on our watches, not a bad move for Munnings colt in K. Desormeaux barn. Has ability and brought some serious money at the OBS June sale ($300,000) but may not be a win-early type on this circuit.
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Cave Rock (August 7, Del Mar, 5f, :59hg). Grade: B+
Fast gate drill inside Truehood (same time) for B. Baffert, splits of :24.1 (strong hold), :35.4, 47.1 and :59.2 on our watches, ridden pretty good in the final stages to be head-and-head at the 5/8 pole, then continued out very well in 1:12.2 for a full six furlongs on our watches. Good prospect, son of Arrogate has speed but is likely to be most effective over a distance of ground.
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Ultimate Gamble (August 6, Del Mar, 6f, 1:13.4h). Grade: B
In blinkers, broke off a couple of lengths behind Sash (same time) and was under urging through the lane while trying to close the gap but made little impression (workmate breezing), final three furlongs in :36.2. Expected a bit more from a colt that brought $1.75 million at the OBS April sale. Doesn’t appear to be a particularly quick type, more of a grinder, will appreciate today’s extended sprint distance.
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Practical Move (August 7, Del Mar, 4f, :46.4hg). Grade: B+
Breezing work from gate outside and best over Asparagus (5f, :59.4hg), splits of :23.4, :35.3 and :47.3, slower than given but good, nonetheless. Brought $230,000 at the OBS April sale; may not be real quick but has a nice way of going and appears to be a decent sort, at the very least.
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Stop and a Tres (August 6, Del Mar, 4f, :47.4hg). Grade: B-
Slightly best outside Loyal to a Fault (same time) while being asked and ridden throughout in gate drill with splits of :23.4, :35.3 and :48 flat on our watches. Fair to moderate, let’s see one first.
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NINTH RACE:
Procrastination (August 6, Del Mar, 4f, :47.2hg). Grade: B+
Breezed outside Bye Bye Buggsy (:48hg) while under a nice hold most of the way and was finishing well within herself before being eased up after a half, splits of :23.2, :34.4 and :47.2. Loved her maiden win at Los Alamitos and should be the one to beat in the Sorrento S.-G2. Excellent prospect.
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Absolutely Zero (July 24, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00h). Grade: B
Went off slowly, was asked to pick it up midway and finished well enough while being ridden out mildly, splits of :25.1, :37 flat and 1:00.3 on our watches, nice in the final stages. Probably will do her best eventually when given more distance to work with but is perfect in two starts in sprints so far.
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