Jeff Siegel: What You Need to Know - Del Mar | Thursday, August 22, 2024

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Del Mar 3rd Race – Post: 3:00 PT.  Degree of confidence: B
Top Selection: 1-Concord Bridge

Other Contenders: none.  

Forecast: Concord Bridge didn’t impress in a pair of outings last year during his two year old campaign but it’s entirely possible as a first-time Lasix user that he’s a much better type this time around based on what he’s looked like in recent morning drills.  The J. Sadler-trained sophomore breezed a strong solo six furlongs 10 days ago that should have him fit and ready, and from his favorable rail draw the son of Medaglia d’Oro may try to employ gate-to-wire tactics in a field without any runaway speed types.  H. Berrios, who has ridden quite a few live runners for this stable this season, takes the call, so in a small field of six and at 3-1 on the morning line we’ll make him a win play and main push in the various exotics.  


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Del Mar 4th race – Post: 3:30 PT.  Degree of confidence: B
Top Selection: 1-Flamengo’s Queen (Ire).
Other Contenders:
9-Twirling Light.

Forecast: Flamengo’s Queen (Ire) had a promising debut run in May sprinting over a straightaway five furlong trip at Naas, and although she received no action (50-1) on the tote she did well to rally late and wind up fourth before galloping out in front.  Purchased privately after the race and now in trainer R. Baltas’ barn, she makes her U.S. debut in a moderate straight maiden affair and should be quite competitive at this level on this circuit.  If she can maintain contact from the rail and avoid trouble along the way, the Irish-bred filly could prove troublesome from off the pace in the final stages, so at 7/2 on the morning line she’ll offer a reasonable gamble in a race that appears to lack depth.  


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