(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).
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DEL MAR SPOTLIGHT RACES:
Seventh Race: Post: 6:01 PT
Top Pick: 8-Thorne House (7/2)
Although he’s stepping up in class into the first level allowance ranks, this lightly raced but talented California-bred gelding should be capable of winning on the raise based on speed figures, upside, and sharp breeze over this track since raced. He exits a productive race, has enough tactical speed to be on or near the lead, and offers a square price at 7/2 on the morning line. We like him in the win pool and will hook him up in exactas and trifectas with 9-Curry (away since March of 2021 but returns protected and with numbers that make him dangerous) and 10-The Little H Man (proper style for this extended sprint trip and from the red hot Andy Mathis barn).
Fifth Race – Post: 4:03 PT
Top Pick: 4-Connie Swingle (5/2)
The state-bred daughter of Grazen was far below her best form when a distant third in the Fleet Treat Stakes in late July but that race was contested over the main track, and she is much more comfortable on grass. With the return to the turf today in this three-other-than allowance sprint, she should be capable of reproducing her winning form, so at 5/2 on the morning line she’s a strong play in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics. The one she must fear is her Phil D’Amato-trained stablemate, 8-Leggs Galore. A two-time winner over the local lawn and successful in nine of 16 career starts, she clearly has the resume to win at this level and is the deserving 6/5 morning line favorite. We’re not convinced she’s quite as good now as she has been in the past – and perhaps that makes her vulnerable – but if she fires her shot the veteran daughter of Bayern will be hard to beat.
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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-4)
1st race: 2-M Is for Magic; 3-Crimson Rose; 4-Tiger Spice
2nd race: 8-Funkhouser; 6-Otter Pop
3rd race: 6-Carmelita’s Man; 3-Win the Day
4th race: 8-Hero Status; 1-Piroli
(Races 5-9)
5th race: 4-Empire Pass; 2-Loma Vista; 1-Keepmeinthe Moment
6th race: 5-See Through It
7th race: 8-Thorne House; 9-Curry; 10-The Little H Man
8th race: 4-Connie Swingle; 8-Leggs Galore
9th race: 2-Squillions; 9-Very Scary; 10-Acoustic Shadow
DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
FIRST RACE:
Tiger Spice (August 18, Del Mar, 4f, :46h). Grade: B+
Ridden through the lane and responded very well, final quarter mile in a sharp :23.2 for A. Mathis. Won debut cleverly in a maiden claimer and should be competitive right back vs. starter’s allowance company.
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SECOND RACE:
Fast Investment (August 13, Del Mar, 4f, :49.1hg). Grade: C+
Off a bit awkwardly and was green early, finally got straightened away after the opening quarter and then wasn’t asked much while in company with American Empire (5f, 1:03.1hg), not really asked much, splits of :36.2 and :49.1 on our watches. Not the worst but needs experience and soft maiden claimers.
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THIRD RACE:
Win the Day (August 26, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.2h). Grade: B
Tied in with Pyeong Chang (5f, 1:00h, already moving) and opened up on that one through the lane in good style while continuing out to seven furlong pole with something left, mild late urging. Maintains his form, should handle a marathon trip.
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FOURTH RACE:
Piroli (August 26, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.1h). Grade: B
In company inside Red Tiara (4f, :48.4h) and was always going the better of the two before continuing out well to the seven furlong pole while being ridden out with something left. Looks good, coming back better than he left as a first time gelding for M. McCarthy.
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EIGHTH RACE:
Connie Swingle (August 28, Del Mar, 4f, :47.4h TC DU). Grade: B
Never really asked while breezing around dogs outside Coulthard (same time), maybe a neck back at the wire but doing it well enough for P. D’Amato, plenty left late. Will greatly appreciate the return to the grass in the afternoon.
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