Del Mar Scouting Report: July 25-28, 2024

‍Key Races

Thursday | G3 Cougar II (dirt marathon)

Friday | Fleet Treat (CA-bred 3yo f sprint)

Saturday | G1 Bing Crosby (dirt sprint), G2 San Diego (dirt route), Daisycutter (f/m turf sprint)

Sunday | G2 Eddie Read (turf route)

Horsepower

Thursday: ’23 G2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance winner Salesman vs. ’23 G3 Sham winner Reincarnate (R7 G3 Cougar II)

Friday: Melair Stakes winner Grand Slam Smile (R7 Fleet Treat)

Saturday: ’23 G1 Bing Crosby winner The Chosen Vron vs. G2 Triple Bend winner Happy Jack and ’23 G3 Maryland Sprint winner Straight No Chaser (probable G1 Bing Crosby, race draws Wednesday); ’23 G1 Pacific Classic winner Arabian Knight vs. 2X G2 San Pasqual winner Newgrange (possible G2 San Diego, race draws Wednesday)

Sunday: G2 Dinner Party winner Balnikhov vs. G1 Shoemaker Mile winner Johannes (possible G2 Eddie Read, race draws Thursday).

Extra Incentives

Saturday | $10K-added Fun in the Sun Handicapping Tournament | last 5 races Saratoga, first 5 races Del Mar

Tracking the Trends

-- Favorites won 11 of 22 races (50%) on opening weekend, particularly potent on dirt with a 11: 8-2-0 record (73% wins, 91% in exacta).

-- Trainer John Shirreffs had 2 of the 4 highest-paying winners opening weekend, $72.20 on Saturday and $35.60 on Sunday.

-- Four trainers posted 3 winners opening weekend: Bob Baffert (38%), Mark Glatt (27%), Michael McCarthy (27%), Doug O’Neill (20%).

-- Jockey Umberto Rispoli led the riders with 5 wins (36%) and a 50% rate in the exacta. He produced a $1.80 ROI for every $1 bet. He rode just 2 favorites, winning aboard one of those.

-- 15 of 22 opening weekend winners exited races at Santa Anita; 2 from Churchill; 1 from Los Alamitos; 4 debut winners.

-- Sire Twirling Candy was responsible for 2 turf stakes winners opening weekend, Ag Bullet and Iscreamyouscream, both over a 1-mile trip.

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