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DEL MAR SPOTLIGHT RACES:
Sixth Race – Post: 6:29 PT
Top Pick: 9-Big City Lights (5/2)
This immensely talented sophomore colt was extremely fast on numbers in a pair of runaway victories in the spring of last year, winning his juvenile debut at Santa Anita in April by more than 12 lengths (93 Beyer figure) and then verifying that performance by romping home by more than seven lengths in the Fasig-Tipton Futurity two months later. Stopped on and turned out for an unspecified issue, he finally makes it back to the races 14 months later and apparently hasn’t lost a step, according to several workouts that are viewable on xbtv.com. Seven furlongs off a layoff is no picnic but from a cozy outside draw jockey Juan Hernandez can dictate the pace flow and move when he wants to. This is a salty Cal-bred race to be sure, but this colt – based on his form from last year – is cut from a different cloth. Those looking for protection should consider 4-Smuggler’s Run and 3-Straight Up G as backups but the main push goes to this son of Mr. Big, who makes his first start for new trainer Richard Mandella.
Eighth Race: Post: 7:27 PT
Top Pick: 11-Famous Star (7/2)
Went way too fast and paid for it late when cutting out suicidal 21 1/5, :43 1/5 fractions in a similar maiden special weight sprint at Santa Anita in June, but we suspect he’ll enjoy a much softer trip today and have every chance to dominate from start to finish. The John Sadler-trained colt removes blinkers, lands the favorite outside draw, switches to the barn’s “go to” rider Juan Hernandez, and has projects as the controlling speed, though a stalk-and-pounce strategy might be a better strategy to employ. At 7/2 on the morning line, the son of Frosty is worth a good gamble in the win pool and in the various exotics, while exacta players should continue hooking him up with 6-One More Bid, a gelding that we believe might be most comfortable as a late-running sprinter and could make some serious noise if held up early and then produced from the quarter pole home.
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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-4)
1st race: 2-Kid Azteca; 7-Ah Jeez; 5-Bay Baybe; 8-Packs a Wahlop
2nd race: 2-Alleva; 10-Gray Magician; 11-Cajun Treasure
3rd race: 7-Give Me the Lute; 6-Dubai Key; 3-Nero
4th race: 9-Tequila Tiger; 1-Miss Baylee; 3-Tiger Spice
(Races 5-8)
5th race: 3-Equilove; 4-Invincibella; 8-Bowl of Cherries
6th race: Big City Lights; 3-Straight Up G; 4-Smuggler’s Run
7th race: Rijeka; 7-Avenue
8th race: 11-Famous Star; 6-One More Bid
DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
FIRST RACE:
Bay Baybe (July 11, Santa Anita, 4f, :48.4hg). Grade: B-
Ridden most of the way while a length behind inside Sassy Nature (3f, :35.4hg) approaching the turn, then took over when that one eased up and continued out in full stride with splits on our watches of 23.4, :35.3 and :48.2, a couple of ticks faster than given. Didn’t bring much ($20,000) as a yearling but can run a bit and likely will do his best work on grass.
View Workout Video
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THIRD RACE:
Nero (July 31, Del Mar, 5f, 1:02.1h TC DU). Grade: B
Easy solo breeze around dogs on turf, just galloping, never asked for speed, and looking quite good (as usual). Has a prior win over the local lawn and should fire an improved shot next time out if properly spotted.
View Workout Video
Whatmakessammyrun (July 31, Del Mar, 4f, :49.2h TC DU). Grade: B
Recently gelded former stakes winner arrives from the East in good form, looking fine in solo half mile grass drill around dogs, mostly on his own until being asked a tad late. Has lacked his old fire in three races this year but might perk up a bit after rejoining former trainer M. Glatt’s barn.
View Workout Video
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FOURTH RACE:
Vegas Dream (July 31, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.4h). Grade: C+
Ridden a bit to the wire and then was asked out to the 7/8 pole, final half mile on our watches in :12.1, :36.3 and :49 flat, okay drill for E. Truman. Maiden claiming sophomore filly seems about the same.
View Workout Video
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FIFTH RACE:
Equilove (July 21, Del Mar, 4f, :46h). Grade: B
Was let run from the pole and then asked a bit through the lane to record fast clocking before galloping out well to the 7/8 pole for S. Knapp. Looks fine but needs a class drop.
View Workout Video
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SIXTH RACE:
Finneus (July 29, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.1hg). Grade: B
A bit sluggish from the gate despite some coaxing, then found his best stride while being urged the remainder of the way and proved best over Giver Not a Taker (5f, 1:00.3hg) and Shardial (5f, 1:01.1hg) while earning splits of :24.1, :47.2 and :59.4, faster than given but doing his best throughout. Not really a sprint type, more like a one-paced grinding router.
View Workout Video
Slow Down Andy (July 30, Del Mar, 4f, :48.2h). Grade: B
Shadow roll but no blinkers, ridden most of the way, three furlongs in :35.3 for O’Neill, decent enough. Versatile type can be effective sprinting or routing and fits best with state-bred foes.
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Straight Up G (July 30, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.1h). Grade: B
Nice move without being asked, final three furlongs in a strong :35.4 with something left late. Freshened since the spring, rest seems to have help, seems perked up, broke his maiden on this track last year.
View Workout Video
Smuggler’s Run (July 30, Del Mar, 5f, :59.2h). Grade: B+
Breezed through the lane in solo five furlong drill, never asked, plenty left late, sharp move for J. Hollendorfer. Has the proper style for an extended sprint, been away since May but won his debut so we know he can fire fresh.
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Big City Lights (July 14, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:00.2h). Grade: B+
Stride-for-stride with tough customer Lane Way (same time), actually going the easier of the two without ever being asked (workmate under mild coaxing), splits of :24.1, :36.1 and 1:00.2, strong, steady splits for new trainer R. Mandella. Won both of his starts by a combined 20 lengths (including the Fasig-Tipton Futurity at Santa Anita) before being stopped on, seems to be coming back just fine.
View Workout Video
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SEVENTH RACE:
Kingmax (July 31, Del Mar, 4f, :48.3h TC DU). Grade: B
Broke off a couple of lengths behind Ginsburned (same time) and never could catch that one while late changing leads and finishing under light pressure (workmate was under a strong hold and much best). English invader placed in group stakes overseas but might need a local outing based on this drill.
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Avenue (July 29, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00h). Grade: B-
Sat off Smooth Like Strait (same time) early to the head of the lane, then was late changing leads under pressure and steadily lost ground (workmate not asked), the pair continuing out to the 7/8 pole with ‘Strait several lengths in front (should have been given :59 and small change). Marathon turf performer is a much better mover on grass.
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Rijeka (July 31, Del Mar, 5f, 1:03.2h TC DU). Grade: B
Left the struggling Newgrange (5f, 1:03.4h TC DU) far back while lengthening out nicely in the final furlong without being asked much, slow final time but looking fine. Was eased in distress in the San Juan but whatever the issue was it no longer appears to exist.
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EIGHTH RACE:
Western Cape (July 28, Del Mar, 5f, :59hg). Grade: B+
Went slower than given in team gate drill inside Multi Platinum (same time) for B. Baffert, splits of :23.4, :35 flat, :47.2 and :59.4 on our watches, about a half-length back at the conclusion of the drill, some coaxing most of the way. Finished third in his debut at Los Alamitos last month (speed/weakened late) and may improve with that bit of experience behind him.
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Encode (July 29, Del Mar, 5f, :58.3hg). Grade: B
Under restraint early while going the easier of the two inside Under the Stars (6f, 1:11.1hg) and was head-and-head early thru moderate splits of :24.2, :35.3, and :47.3 but fell back when ‘Stars was asked to quicken and wound up almost a length back in :59.4 after five furlongs, considerably slower than given but still not a bad work for maiden son of Empire Maker. Was fourth in debut here last year and then disappeared, may be a work away from being totally cranked up.
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American Refugee (July 29, Del Mar, 6f, 1:12.4h). Grade: B
Not asked early but appeared to lose some of his steam late while traveling out to 7/8 pole inside Gold Rush Candy (same time), actually finishing a length behind at the conclusion of the drill, final half mile in :11.3, :36.4 and :49.3 on our watches. Let’s see one first.
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Upstart Yankee (July 24, Del Mar 5f, 1:00hg). Grade: B-
Went slower than given while about a half-length behind Big Spin (same time), splits of :25.3, :49.1 and 1:01.3 on our watches, easy early, some late coaxing. Down the road type for McCanna.
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