“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:
Fourth Race – Post: 3:30 ET
Top Pick: 7-Redline (5/2)
This lightly raced son of Texas Red has much in his favor in his first start since being claimed by John Sadler for $75,000. Solid on speed figures, working sharply for his new connections, and a perfect two-for-two on grass, the son of Texas Red prefers to stalk, pounce, and go, and should enjoy that type of trip in this abbreviated dash that projects to have type of quick pace that compliments his style. Ryan Curatolo stays aboard, knows him well, and will have every chance from the quarter pole home to manufacture a winning late bid. The most dangerous of the speed types – and if he can shake loose early he could get brave late – is the recently gelded 4-Ikigai, who has speed figures that put him in the fray and a couple of easy three furlong breezes over the local lawn to tick him over. He’s 4-1 on the morning line and worth using in the exotics at that price. We’d also toss in on a ticket or two 6-Elevado, away since last October but returning as a first-time Lasix user and a winning from straight maidens sprinting on grass in his most recent (and first on the lawn) outing, just his second of his career. If he returns as well as he left, the son of Street Boss should be a major player for the Mike Puype barn, which hits at a very strong 23% with comebackers.
Seventh Race: Post: 5:00 ET
Top Pick: 5-Fun to Dream (5/2)
While she may have a tough task beating the certain favorite in this year’s renewal of the Fleet Treat Stakes, this California-bred sophomore could be up to the task and is worth a gamble at or near her morning line of 5/2. The daughter of Arrogate was highly impressive winning her debut with a strong number and did so after settling just off the leaders before easily exerting her superiority with given her cute. The Bob Baffert-trained filly appears ready to step forward in a huge way, and this seven furlong distance seems perfect for her style. However, Connie Swingle, the morning line choice at 8/5, is faster on numbers and was a stakes winner over the Del Mar main track last year. She employs a lethal stalking strategy that keeps her free of trouble, continues to impress in the a.m. for high percentage trainer Phil D’Amato, and a no doubt has improvement in her. These two should leave the others behind and can be used with confidence as high probability exacta partners.
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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-4)
1st race: 5-Bochombo; 2-Street Art; 8-Rocky Gibraltar
2nd race: 2-Family Biz; 4-Paint Me Lucky; 6-Little Demon
3rd race: 2-D D S Express; 1-Cross Examine; 4-Arrest
4th race: 7-Redline; 4-Ikigai; 6-Elevado
(Races 6-8)
5th race: 3-Dance to the Music; 5-Grace Adler
6th race: 5-Unfaithful Ways; 6-Scarabea; 4-Dramatizer
7th race: 5-Fun to Dream; 4-Connie Swingle
8th race: 10-Oubabe; 9-Queen’s Code
DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
FIRST RACE:
Rocky Gibraltar (July 21, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00h). Grade: B
Mild late coaxing while stride-for-stride outside Dream Princess (same time), final quarter mile in a sharp :23.4. for J. Sadler. Solid work, seems set for an improved effort, however, he’s never been dependable breaking from the gate.
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SECOND RACE:
Little Demon (July 14, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:00.3h TT). Grade: B-
Went off slowly (:25 flat, :37.1), then picked it up midway and was ridden through the lane to finish in full stride, 1:01.1 on our watches, slower than given but with a decent finish. Okay drill for Gulfstream Park shipper, deserves a look with mid-grade claimers.
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THIRD RACE:
Cross Examine (July 23, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00hg). Grade: B
In blinkers, ridden throughout and was always second best outside chasing Gold Rush Candy (same time) while more than a length back following the completion of this five furlong gate drill, splits of :24 flat, :47.1 and :59.4, pretty much doing his best, good final time but not visually impressive. Was a $475,000 yearling purchase but debuts for maiden $20,000, which tells you about his connections’ expectations.
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FIFTH RACE:
Midnight Memories (July 17, Santa Anita, 6f, 1:12.2h). Grade: B
Ridden late outside Pinehurst (same time, also urged through the lane) but finished almost a length back at the wire, final five furlongs in :23.2, :35 flat and :59.2, strong final time but doing her best throughout. Unbeaten in two starts but Beyer figure dropped 10 points in her second start, seeking a second-level allowance sprint.
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Grace Adler (July 22, Del Mar, 6f, 1:11.3hg). Grade: A-
Powerful work for Baffert while besting Encode (5f, :58.3hg, a half-length back when eased up) while being ridden along most of the way to earn very fast clocking, splits of :23.1, :34.3, :58.3 and 1:11.3 on our watches. Away since December but looks plenty fit and is perfect (two-for-two) over the Del Mar main track.
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Slammed (July 21, Del Mar, 4f, :47.3h). Grade: B
In blinkers, mild coaxing through the lane while coming the final three furlongs in :34.3 for T. Fincher. Good sprinter from New Mexico will get tested for class on this circuit.
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SEVENTH RACE:
Connie Swingle (July 15, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:00.4h TT). Grade: B
Broke off a couple of lengths in front of Macadamia (same time) and held sway by a neck while under a tight hold (workmate mildly asked), splits of 12.1 and :36.2 for the final three furlongs in training track drill for P. D’Amato. Maintains her sharp edge.
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Fun to Dream (July 16, Santa Anita, 5f, :59.3h). Grade: A-
Terrific work inside Grace Adler (same time) for Baffert, splits of :23.2, :35.1 and :59.3, always going a bit easier than talented workmate and finishing with plenty left (galloped out strongly to 7/8 pole). Broke her maiden like a stakes-quality filly and has done nothing since to doubt that evaluation. Major player in the Fleet Treat Stakes.
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