Saturday's Del Mar card includes the California Dreamin' Stakes as well as the featured Clement Hirsch, the latter a key steppingstone to the Breeders' Cup Distaff, which will return to Del Mar this year. It's among my 3 key plays on the program.
Del Mar - Race 7
#1 Oakley's Smile: He'll be a decent price again here, and I wonder if a slightly easier run of things might help him get in the frame while overlooked. Cozy inside trip could be waiting. Why not?
#4 Jack Fish: He flashed good pace before settling for second in the Los Al debut, and that kind of speed is going to keep him in the mix throughout while trying turf. Tough if it all transfers.
#8 Glorious Life: Perfect spying run could be in the cards for him from here, but I'm still just a little shy about the way he has gone one-paced in the final yards of his starts.
Race Summary: Oakley's Smile comes out of a couple spots I liked a little bit, and I could see him getting a really nice run of things from the fence if he can relax just a bit better.
Del Mar - Race 10
#7 Kopion: She established herself as one of the best distaff sprinters in the country, and they'll give her another chance around two turns today. Wonder if she's just a lot better now than the last time she tried a route?
#1 Seismic Beauty: Nothing wrong with the way she has punched home in the last couple scores, but there are a couple of other new forward faces to deal with this time around, and her best game has come on the engine. Respect, but wonder if the race flow does her in?
#2 Royal Spa: She might find a decent spot while tucked in on the fence behind the quicker players, and she's probably a good fit with this crew if you try to use Thorpedo Anna as the measuring stick.
Race Summary: Kopion has been really good this year and deserves another chance going long. Could see her finding a perfect, patient, first-over trip while just stacked outside a couple more committed types.
Del Mar - Race 11
#6 Prince Dolce: His turf form has been solid enough, and he's worth a look while trying a turf route outside of stakes company for the first time. Dangerous if he's ready.
#12 Miles Finch: Reliable type has run OK going long before, but she has also been a bit flat late in both of those tries. She might have to use just a touch of pace to find a spot from out here. One of the ones, but think she needs a few things to go her way today.
#1 Winning Patriot: Think he might still have some upside after showing a bit of talent through two starts, and he's meeting a lot of horses who are pretty established at this point. Could be fun at a midrange price.
Race Summary: #13 Brazenly is a must-use on vertical plays here with reliable underneath form, but Prince Dolce has the most appeal for me. He can probably work out a good spying trip while returning fresh on the drop.
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