Del Mar 7th Race – Post: 4:37 PT. Degree of confidence: B+
Top Selection: 9-Pure Madness.
Other Contenders: 5-Don’t Fight the Fed.
Forecast: Pure Madness shows the always dangerous two-sprints-and-a-stretch-out pattern while returning to what we suspect is his preferred surface in this first level allowance middle distance state-bred turf affair after finishing a good runner-up in the Real Good Deal Stakes earlier this month. With a pedigree that suggests he’ll handle the extra distance and being reunited with “win rider” T. Baze, the son of Sir Prancealot is fast on figures and seems likely to step forward again while projecting to enjoy a pace stalking or pressing trip. The B. Koriner-trained sophomore shows two recent easy breezes to tick him over, so at 3-1 on the morning line we’ll make him an aggressive win play and main push in the various exotics.
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Del Mar 8th race – Post: 5:08 PT. Degree of confidence: B+
Top Selection: 6-Ultra Power.
Other Contenders: none.
Forecast: Ultra Power has trained like he’s much improved since the last time we saw him 10 months ago, and in his first start since last November this Curlin colt from the top race mare Unique Bella should be capable of producing a winning performance in a stronger-than-par entry level allowance race over a mile on the main track. He was a bit backward as a two-year-old but with the addition of Lasix and with the removal of blinkers the B. Baffert-trained colt seems highly likely to return better than he left. The presence of J. Hernandez (his “win rider” from last year) adds fuel to the fire for a barn that always has strong stats with the layoff angle. We’re expecting this highly athletic colt to be forwardly placed and then have every chance from the top of the lane to the wire at 3-1 on the morning line.
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