(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).
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DEL MAR SPOTLIGHT RACES:
First Race: Post: 2:00 PT
Top Pick: 6-Pat’s Paddock Pick (5-1)
Homebred juvenile colt has shown enough in a.m. drills to rate a huge chance first crack out of the box in this maiden $62,500 sprint, and while the barn’s record with debut runners is weak, we’re thinking this son of Jimmy Creed will prove to be the exception to the rule. He’s been given more than a sufficient number of workouts to have him fit and ready, and in a field in which the known element doesn’t impress and the other newcomers looks average at best, the 5-1 that he’s listed on the morning line would offer excellent wagering value, if you can get it. For protection, you may want to include the Churchill Downs shipper 7-Top of My Game somewhere on your ticket, but the main punch in the win pool and in rolling exotic play should go to Pat’s Paddock Pick.
Eleventh Race: Post: 7:06 PT
Top Pick: 5-Kura (12-1)
This filly trained like the real deal prior to her racing debut, but after a rough start over a track she failed to properly grip the daughter of First Samurai performed far below expectations when finishing a distant third (beaten 12 lengths) in her debut over the main track at Santa Anita last month. She continues to train well and deserves another chance, this time on grass for the Richard Mandella barn, which produces at a strong 20% rate with the second-time starter angle. With Mike Smith riding her back, we’re expecting a vastly improved performance and excellent long shot wagering value at or near her morning line of 12-1. Exacta players may consider hooking her up with 4-Leisurewear, who ran well over the local lawn last year and should move for forward in her second start off a layoff for the high percentage Phil D’Amato barn.
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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-5)
1st race: 6-Pat’s Paddock Pick; 7-Top of My Game
2nd race: 8-Continental Divide; 9-Moubou; 1-Quick Buck
3rd race: 8-Always At Ease; 9-Quarantella; 4-Green Eyed Lady
4th race: 7-Eleniak; 3-Butkus
5th race: 1-Dual Threat; 7-Law Abiding; 8-Explain This Audit
(Races 6-10)
6th race: 8-Newgate
7th race: 4-Lane Way; 7-Cotopaxi; 9-Yes He Can
8th race: 9-American Theorem; 3-Bagboss
9th race: 6-Goliad; 10-Midnight Jostar; 1-Liberal
10th race: 3-Mandaloun; 1-There Goes Harvard; 2-Defunded
11th race: Kura; 4-Leisurewear; 2-Angel Nadeshiko
DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
FIRST RACE:
Pat’s Paddock Pick (July 16, Santa Anita, 4f, :48hg). Grade: B+
Rather nice gate work for M. Puype, breaking sharply and leading Facetious (5f 1:00.4hg) early before being guzzled back to be a length or so behind after the opening quarter, was permitted to reengage workmate on the turn and went on by while still going very easily, splits of :24.3., :36 flat and :47.4 on our watches. Has win-early breeding and should be dangerous at first asking in the proper spot.
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SECOND RACE:
Mobou (July 22, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.2h). Grade: B
Mostly on his own to the top, then was asked and ridden through the lane, final three furlongs in :11.4 and :35.4, solid drill for J. Shirreffs. Lightly raced 6-year-old gelding is still trying to find his niche.
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THIRD RACE:
Comanche Country (July 11, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:01.2h TT). Grade: B-
Was asked to pick it up entering the lane and finished evenly between horses with Dazzlingdominika (5f, 1:01h TT), broke off behind, closed the gap to be lapped on workmates at wire) and Excess English (5f, 1:01.2h TT, inside on the lead, barely held sway, not really asked). Was probably third best in this drill, looks okay at least, hard to say how this 2-year-old will fit on this circuit.
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Always At Ease (July 23, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01h). Grade: B
Ridden pretty good through the lane to prove slightly best inside of Dazzlemesilver (5f, 1:01.1h) for K. Desormeaux, final quarter in a solid :24.2. May be a decent sort and deserves strong consideration even though the barn doesn’t have a good record with first timers.
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Quarantella (July 16, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:01.3h TT). Grade: B-
Ridden aggressively through the lane to maintain a slight margin ahead of Big Shamrock (same time) for D. Blacker, final quarter mile in :24.1 in training track drill. More Than Ready filly has some improvement in her, for sure.
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Bolt for Allison (July 9, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:03hg). Grade: B-
Wasn’t asked but never really got much going while best over Bolt’s Gal (5f, 1:03.4hg) for Ruis, very easy most of the way (asked a bit late), splits of :25.3, :37.3, :49.4 and 1:03.2 on our watches while gearing up for debut. Has some ability but probably is a down the road type.
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Queenzy (July 13, Santa Anita, 4f, :49.4h TT). Grade: B-
In blinkers, inside Herecomesgeorgieboy (same time) in training track breeze for J. Mullins, final three furlongs under wraps :36.3 (could have gone much faster if permitted). Has a decent way of going, cost a ham sandwich ($2,500) at auction but is clearly much better than that.
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FOURTH RACE:
Butkus (July 24, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01h). Grade: B-
Breezing five furlong main track move for P. Miller in :35.4 (to the wire) and :47.4 (out to 7/8 pole) while looking sharp. Should be set for a good effort vs. mid-grade claimers.
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SIXTH RACE:
Hard to Figure (July 23, Del Mar, 6f, 1:11hg). Grade: B+
(see Newgate, below)
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Game Time (July 14, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:02hg). Grade: C+
Second best in gate drill with Rocky Gibraltar (same time), some early speed but outrun when asked from the head of the lead to the furlong pole, slow splits of :25.2, :37.1 and :49 flat. Prefer to see one first.
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Riverside (July 24, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.2h). Grade: B
Broke off a length behind Storming Machine (same time) and was stride-for-stride outside through the lane while going very easily and appearing a tad the best, up at the 7/8 pole with splits of :24.4, :48.1 and 1:00.4, nice for J. Sadler. Looks to have some talent, though his future likely is around two turns.
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Kolomio (July 23, Del Mar, 4f, :48.2h). Grade: B-
Outside Pacific States (same time) for K. Desormeaux, the pair finishing head-and-head without really being asked, final quarter in :24 flat. Constitution juvenile has some run but may need a distance of ground before showing his best.
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Newgate (July 23, Del Mar, 6f, 1:11hg). Grade: B+
A length best outside Hard to Figure (same time) in fast gate work for Baffert, splits of :23.2, :34.4 :46.3, :58.4 and 1:11.3 on our watches, slower than given but impressive for a 2-year-old with both being ridden pretty good in the final furlong. Obviously will be heavily backed in debut for a barn that cranks ‘em up first time out. Workmate might be the quicker of the two but was clearly outrun late.
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SEVENTH RACE:
Chasin Munny (July 23, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.3h). Grade: B-
Stride for stride outside Howebeit (same time) for M. Glatt, never really asked much, final half mile in :48.2, solid drill. Been away for almost a hear and returns as a first-time gelding. Has fired fresh in the past and looks good.
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Lane Way (July 21, Del Mar, 5f, :59h). Grade: B+
Asked a bit late and responded in sharp style while drawing clear from Kandarel (5f, 1:00h) for R. Mandella, final quarter mile in a smart :23.1. Been away since last October but is returning as well as he left and has won fresh in the past.
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Cotopaxi (July 24, Del Mar, 4f, :49.3h TC DU). Grade: B
Light coaxing in solo grass work while very wide around dogs, finishing with plenty left. Disappointed last time out but can bounce back in the proper spot.
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EIGHTH RACE:
Shaaz (July 24, Del Mar, 6f, 1:11.2). Grade: A-
Inside Country Grammer (same time) and was always going the easier of the two, :48 flat on our watches fromm the 3/8 pole out to the 7/8 pole, a head in front at the end (workmate had to be asked to stay even). Looks real good, but always does in the morning.
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American Theorem (July 24, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.1h). Grade: A-
Just galloping while far off the rail and finishing with a ton left without ever being asked (wasn’t allowed to gallop out, either). The plan, obviously, is to save his best stuff for the afternoon. Much better as a sprinter and has never been sharper.
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NINTH RACE:
Goliad (July 25, Del Mar, 5f, :59.3h). Grade: B+
Second best outside Royal Ship (same time), not really asked much but finishing about a half-length back at the wire, final half mile on our watches in :46.4, strong move for War Front gelding. May have been a bit rusty in his comeback and should produce a forward move next time out.
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TENTH RACE:
There Goes Harvard (July 24, Del Mar, 5f, :59.4h). Grade: B+
Very nice solo drill, :35.3 from the 3/8 pole to the wire, very light coaxing only. Freshened since Santa Anita Gold Cup win in late May and seems in top shape.
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Defunded (July 24, Del Mar, 6f, 1:11.3h). Grade: B+
Caught him from the half mile pole all the way out to the six furlong pole in solo main track drill for Baffert, splits of :23.3, :46.3, :59.2 and 1:12.2 on our watches, ridden hard most of the way to finish all out. Seems in good shape but you have to make him do it in the morning.
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Stilleto Boy (July 23, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00h). Grade: B+
Ridden through the lane and did well enough, final three furlongs in :12 flat and :35.3. Freshened since late May and seems ready for a strong effort.
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Parnelli (July 23, Del Mar, 5f, :59.3h). Grade: B+
Came the final quarter mile in a smart :23.3 while ridden a bit in the closing stages in solo main track drill for J. Shirreffs. Never been sharper and gets teste for class in the San Diego H.
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Tripoli (July 23, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.2h). Grade: B+
Went well in solo five furlong drill for J. Sadler, splits of :24.2, :48.1 and 1:00.2 from the half mile pole to the 7/8 pole, mild coaxing only. Was a bit rusty in comeback but should be fitter and stronger now. Loves the Del Mar main track.
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Country Grammer (July 24, 6f, 1:11.2h). Grade: B
(See Shaaz, eighth race)
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Royal Ship (July 25, Del Mar, 5f, :59.3h). Grade: B+
Trailed Goliad (same time) early but rallied inside and finished with excellent energy out to the 7/8 pole, splits of :23.4, :46.3 and :59.1 on our watches. Form is up-and-down but he can be really good when he wants to be.
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ELEVENTH RACE:
Leisurewear (July 17, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:01.3h TT). Grade: B
Breezing through the lane on training track while head-and-head inside Goldini (same time) for P. D’Amato, splits of :24.3, :36.1 and 1:01.1, something left late. Freshened since May and has a bit of improvement in her.
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