Del Mar shifts its Friday post time to 6 pm ET / 3 pm PT, adjusting for earlier sunsets the remainder of the summer meet. Today's feature is the CTT & TOC Stakes in Race 6, and that's one of my featured plays on the card.
Del Mar - Race 3
#6 Warm Reception: Like the way she moved forward off the bench last time out, and something similar puts her in the frame again with another nice tracking trip waiting for her. Graduation day.
#7 Just a Kiss: Wouldn't be a surprise to see her bring something better while stretching out at second asking, and she wasn't that far off one of the other players in here....
#3 Goatski: She was in the picture with the top choice last out and wouldn't be a shock, but I could see her going one-paced again late here and finding at least one of them ready to outkick her.
Race Summary: Warm Reception came back running with a pretty solid effort last time out, and that should have her set for something a touch sharper today -- and that should be all she needs.
Del Mar - Race 6
#3 Mrs. Astor: Love that she can handle all different types of two-turn trips, and she should get a perfect run of things here today. She's probably not much of a price in here, but I think her baseline should do the trick.
#5 Khinjani: Would want her on some of the plays, but felt like just a little bit of a reach to have her on top in this space. She's obviously better than she showed in the Gamely last time out, and this is the first time she's going to string three races together since 2023. Could be sitting on something surprisingly competitive?
#11 Venganza: She might have a little appeal while trying a bit longer trip today -- she tends to run on late in a way that suggests she can at least plug away through another furlong or so. Price in the mix.
Race Summary: Mrs. Astor has super-reliable form and should find a great spot today. Just not much to argue with the way she shows up every time, and I'm not really wowed by any of the other more logical players on paper. Get Khinjani
and/or Venganza in the picture with her?
Del Mar - Race 8
#8 Siennois: Might be just enough potential pace in here to think I want someone who can really finish, and this guy's better closing efforts make him a handful against this crew. Second start back might tip him over the top.
#7 Nesso's Lasthurrah: Stretchout pace should be in the mix throughout, but I worry that a couple other stretchout types could keep things honest enough to make it tough for him to see out the trip. Tough call for me.
#6 City Exile: Wouldn't argue too hard with anyone landing here, but I wanted to see just a bit more enthusiasm late from him in the run last time out. Better stuff would do.
Race Summary Siennois might get an OK race flow today with the potential forward player all having sprint speed on their best days. Look for a late charge.
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