“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:
Fifth Race – Post: 4:04 PT
Top Pick: 3-Handy Dandy (7/2)
Freshened for 10 weeks, this Peter Miller-trained gelding returns to the course where he broke his maiden impressively last year, and with a series of sharp recent workouts at San Luis Rey Downs to have him fit and ready this multiple stakes-placed gelding should outclass this first-level allowance field. The son of Fury Kapcori has excellent tactical speed and good late kick, so we’re expecting Juan Hernandez to have him comfortably placed in the second flight, ready to pounce when field straightens for home. There is sufficient wagering value at or near his morning line of 7/2. Exacta/trifecta player should consider using 4-Beef Winslow and 7-Unconquerable Keen with our top pick. The former backs up in trip and could get brave if left alone on the front end, while the latter has done some excellent work in the morning for turf master Phil D’Amato, who excels with these Euro imports, and has Timeform ratings that make him a major fit at this level on this circuit.
Ninth Race: Post: 6:04 PT
Top Pick: 2-Hamwood Flier (4-1)
This speedy Irish-bred filly makes her first start for Phil D’Amato after originally being imported by trainer Richard Baltas before being transferred to George Papapadromou, for whom she won an allowance race at Santa Anita in late May. She did so despite running off to a needless long lead and then drifting out badly in the final furlong, but still managed to win by daylight without ever being threatened. if she can relax just a bit today and maintain a straight course, the lightly raced Euro import should be able to wire the field once again. Joe Bravo, aware of her quirks, stays aboard and will try to get her to switch off early. Let’s make here a win play and rolling exotic single and hope to get close to her morning line of 4-1.
DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-5)
1st race: 6-Luck’s Royal Flush; 2-Established
2nd race: 1-Big Jolt; 7-Shemakescents
3rd race: 10-My Kentucky Girl; 5-Fearless Girl; 8-Gallovie
4th race: 11-Halosnheaven; 6-Good as Gone
5th race: 3-Handy Dandy; 4-Beef Winslow; 7-Unonconquerable Keen
(Races 6-11)
6th race: 6-Tom Bombadil; 1-Superman Shaq; 8-Sumo; 11-Sonic Brees
7th race: 8-Yvonne’s Miss; 3-Cholly; 9-Organic
8th race: 6-The Big Wam; 9-Charbonneau; 4-Kangaroo Court
9th race: 2-Hamwood Flier
10th race: 2-C Z Rocket; 7-Desmond Doss; 5-Tigre Di Slugo
11th race: 6-Bellabel; 1-Lady T; 4-Tezzaway
DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
THIRD RACE:
Agreetodisagree (July 16, Santa Anita, 4f, :47.1h TT). Grade: B
Was permitted to show early speed and then was ridden a bit through the lane to earn fast clocking for P. Eurton, final three furlongs in :34.4. Does her best on the front end, has all of her conditions, and should use them.
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Fearless Girl (July 10, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:00.3h TT). Grade: B-
In blinkers, broke off outside a length behind Goldini (5f, 1:00.4h TT) for P. D’Amato and was ridden through the lane to finish head-and-head at the wire (workmate breezing, best), final half mile on our watches in :23.2 and :47.4. Solid move but was hoping for a bit more, still winless stateside since being imported from Ireland.
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FOURTH RACE:
Right Reasons (July 9, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:01.2h). Grade: B-
Best by almost a length outside Tea N Conversation (same time) for M. McCarthy, strictly on her own and with something left late, final three furlongs in :37.3. Moves like a filly with a bit of quality, certainly could have gone faster if asked. Follow.
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Spicybug (June 26, Santa Anita, 4f, :47.1hg). Grade: B
Gate drill inside runaway debut maiden winner Procrastination (same time) and stayed even with that quick filly to the turn before gradually getting outrun, a length back when eased up after a half mile, splits of :23.4, :35 flat and :47.1, not bad considering the quality of the competition. Quick daughter of Speightstown could be dangerous in an abbreviated sprint for juveniles.
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Good as Gone (July 13, Santa Anita, 4f, :47.1h). Grade: B
In company outside Half Past Twelve (same time) and finished a short head back at the wire, not really asked much, rather nice for juvenile filly matched up with a tough older sprinter, splits of :23.1 and :47.2 on our watches. Daughter of Nyquist looks to have some talent and should be a live item first crack out of the box.
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Satin Doll (July 11, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:01hg). Grade: C+
In blinkers, gate drill with Precision Strike (same time) and was second best while being ridden every step of the way, a length back when eased up after five furlongs, splits of :24.3, :36 flat, :48 flat and 1:01 flat, all out late while failing to change leads. Doesn’t strike us as a win early type for D. O’Neill.
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Halosnheaven (July 14, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:00.1hg). Grade: B
Very nice gate work for Baffert while proving much best over Fast and Shiny (5f, 1:01.3hg), splits of :23.3, :35 flat, :47 flat and 1:00 flat, mild coaxing only before galloping out to the wire in 1:14.4. Curlin filly from Indian Blessing probably not quite 100 percent cranked up yet but definitely has ability and should be live at first asking.
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FIFTH RACE:
Beef Winslow (July 16, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:00.1h TT). Grade: B+
Broke off a few lengths in front of Mac Daddy Too (5f, :59.4h TT) and held sway while under a nice hold in the lane (workmate asked a bit), final quarter in :23.4 while looking especially sharp for D. O’Neill. Likes the front end going long and is tough to get by when not pressured early. Right on edge.
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Sydney Street (June 19, Santa Anita, 4f, :50.1h). Grade: C+
Caught a glimpse of him last month in team drill outside Perfect Ice Storm (same time) and was slightly second best while being ridden pretty good in the late stages to stay close to even. Was a useful handicapper in England during the winter but may prefer all-weather or turf based on this drill.
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Unconquerable Keen (5f, 1:02h TT). Grade: B
Decent work with subsequent stakes winner Balnikhov (5f, 1:01.4h TT), breaking off a length in front and finishing head-and-head at the wire, light coaxing only workmate not asked), final three furlongs in :12 flat and :35.3, quite nice. Useful form overseas, may prefer a front-running trip.
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SIXTH RACE:
Sumo (July 17, Santa Anita, 4f, :48h). Grade: C+
Outside Gold Rush Candy (5f, 1:00.4h, out to 7/8 pole) and was almost a length back when eased up at the wire, splits of :23 flat and :48 flat, not really asked but not really giving much of a response, either. Been away, once was well regarded but needs claimers now.
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SEVENTH RACE:
Warren’s Paradice (July 7, Santa Anita, 4f, :48.3hg). Grade: C+.
Juvenile filly was ridden pretty good throughout in team gate drill with Warren’s World (same time) for C. Lewis, splits of :24.3, :36.1 and :48.2 on our watches. Not a speed type at this stage, may have a smidgen of ability.
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Fun Money (July 16, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:01.1hg). Grade: B-
Blazed-faced juvenile filly went solo from gate and was ridden most of the way while earning splits of :24 flat, :35.2 and :47.4, then continued out five panels in 1:01.1. Has some early speed, should be reasonably competitive in moderate maiden sprint.
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Organic (July 13, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:00.3h TT). Grade: B-
Broke off in front of seasoned older horse St Anthony (5f, 1:00.1h TT) and was let run throughout before being put to strong pressure entering the lane, eventually winding up more than a length back at the finish. Not a bad work given the circumstances, tough assignment for an unraced juvenile filly.
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TENTH RACE:
Mastering (July 17, Santa Anita, 5f, :59.4h). Grade: B
Came the final half mile in :22.3 and :47.1 while being ridden through the lane in solo main track drill for Baffert. Always a fast worker, been away ore more than a year, would prefer to see one first.
I Got No Munny (July 9, Santa Anita, 6f, 1:14.2h). Grade: B
In blinkers, picked him up at the 5/8 pole, went easily to the top in :24.4 and :36.4, then was asked some through the lane and responded in solid fashion, up in 1:01.4 at the wire for M. Glatt. Been away since last October, seems to be coming back okay, not the best of movers so it’s hard to say how well he will fire fresh.
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