“What You Need to Know” – Del Mar – Sunday, November 12, 2023
by Jeff Siegel, 1stbet.com Handicapper & Analyst
Today’s Best Plays:
Fourth Race (2:00 PT)
2-MAHINA (3-1)
Turned in by far her top performance in her sixth career outing when relaxing off the pace until the top of the stretch before exploding through the lane to win going away with a turn of foot never before seen from the daughter of Bolt d’Oro. That maiden claiming win at Santa Anita last month got her eligible to this starter’s allowance turf miler for fillies and mares, and if the Paddy Gallagher-trained sophomore duplicates that level of performance today she should be able to handle this raise in class. Look for Umberto Rispoli to employ similar patient, one run tactics with this well bred filly that should offer plenty of wagering value at or near her morning line of 3-1.
Seventh Race (3:30 PT)
2-EL REY REY (7/2)
Displayed a considerable amount of promise and ability in his racing debut despite a less than ideal trip when a fast finishing fourth (before galloping out in front) in a turf sprint debut last month that was much more impressive than the running line shows. In that six furlong dash, the son of BC Mile Turf winner Karakontie was off slowly and allowed to lag early, commenced in his rally into the lane, had to alter course sharply to secure room inside the furlong pole and then took hold to gobble up ground before running out of room. Entered back on November 2 but failing to draw in from the also eligible list, the Jeff Mullins-trained colt stretches out to what should be much more suitable distance today and with good racing luck seems likely to earn his diploma and then go on to bigger and better things.