It's the opening act of Breeders' Cup Week at Del Mar. Let's get off to a flying start before the championship weekend.
Del Mar - Race #1
#3 Medici: He showed some pace and stayed on well in that turf debut last out, and the guy who beat him that day came back to land a Grade III and is entered to go in tomorrow's Breeders' Cup Juvenile turf. Nothing clever here, and the price probably reflects that, but I think you're supposed to be able to lean on him.
#2 Luck Lucky: He's a logical alternative with a decent debut showing overseas, and he goes for a top team while not meeting a whole lot of serious form on paper outside of the top choice.
#5 Kid Charlemagne: Lots of respect for anything this team sends in, and he's got enough positional pace to find a good spot into the first turn. One of the logical ones.
Race Summary: It's Medici's race to lose after a really solid run last out when trying turf and two turns for the first time. Doesn't appear to be anything like Stark Contrast in here, so I'm guessing something like his last
will do the trick.
Del Mar - Race #7
#1 Bodi Zafa: His form didn't go anywhere good after the decent Cinema run at Santa Anita in May, but I wonder if he can get back to something like that today, which might be enough to make him a sneaky player at an OK price.
#6 Friendly Confines: He finished up well and showed a bit of a new dimension with that rally, and he brings some reasonable upside in the second start off the bench. Think he's going to be tough.
#3 Hiding in Honduras: Wouldn't be surprised to see him land a piece here while trying turf. The pedigree is there, and he looked good going short on synthetic footing at first asking. Wildcard with a big class ask.
Race Summary: Bodi Zafa should be a solid number on the board with a couple dull runs on his page, but he ran into some quality players in the two- and three-back tries, and I'm hoping a bounce-back effort puts him in the picture.
Del Mar - Race #9
#10 Resolve: Think you can go a few different ways in this spot, and while I don't really trust her a whole lot, the better tries on her page stack up well enough to make her competitive. One of the ones at a midrange price after chasing a decent winner last out.
#4 Take Another Card: Wouldn't argue too hard with anyone leaning this way and hoping that the quality line from stakes company back in March will transfer OK off the layoff today. Price probably gets short.
#2 The Mizen Queen: Honest finishing form from her so far through two starts in the States, and she seems as likely as anyone to land this. One of the ones to consider if the price is interesting enough.
Race Summary: Resolve is one of the interesting players here in a fun spot to close the day. Her last was decent enough in a solid race, and I think she might get overlooked a little bit with some hit-or-miss form.
.svg){kind=logo}
