(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).
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DEL MAR SPOTLIGHT RACES:
Second Race: Post: 2:34 PT
Top Pick: 1-La Macarena (5/2)
We were quite impressed with this filly’s workout August 7 – a solo bullet six furlong drill in 1:13.3 with a final half mile in :49 flat - while just breezing along and displaying good athleticism and a touch of quality. The daughter of Bayern must negotiate a good trip from her rail draw, but if she leaves cleanly and can secure a reasonable early position she could graduate at first asking. There has to be room on your ticket for the 8/5 morning line favorite, 5-Keychain Girl. A strong runner-up while more than five lengths clear of the rest in a similar maiden distaff sprint over this track and distance last month, the daughter of Practical Joke earned a speed figure that is par for this level and as it was her first start since last October, she should have plenty of room for improvement.
Seventh Race – Post: 5:07 PT
Top Pick: 10-Rhino (10-1)
Let’s go with a price in this wide open state-bred sprint for juveniles. The dam of this Texas Ryano colt was a quick sprinter in her day and this colt, while probably not blazingly fast, showed some quality when producing a strong late kick in a recent gate drill to indicate he’s plenty fit. Drawn outside and projected to drop over and settle off the pace, the Dan Blacker-trained homebred should have every chance from the quarter pole home to make a late impression, so at anywhere near his morning line of 10-1 he’s worth a bit of a gamble. 9-Giver Not a Taker (5/2) also has done some good work in the morning, and as a first-time starter from the Peter Miller barn the son of Dancing Candy deserves a strong look. He was a respectable second best behind stakes winner Finneus in a gate work in late July and then followed up that drill with another solid five furlong drill from the barrier than should have him tight as a drum. These are the two we’ll be using in our rolling exotics.
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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-5)
1st race: 3-Virulante; 1-Youteyourhonor; 7-Blushing
2nd race: 1-La Macarena; 5-Keychain Girl
3rd race: 6-Moose Mitchell; 7-Turnsandconditions
4th race: 1-Ellie Arroway; 4-Storming Lady; 5-Respect My Candor; 3-Lalic
5th race: 6-Halosnheaven; 3-Jennifer’s d’Light; 5-Infinite Diamond
(Races 6-10)
6th race: 5-Lovesick Blues; 6-Evenerevenworse; 2-Nezt Flight
7th race: 10-Rhino; 9-Giver Not a Taker
8th race: 3-Self Isolation; 4-Investmentstrategy; 5-Warrens Candy Girl
9th race: 10-Havnameltdown; 2-Arman
10th race: 7-National Road; 8-Spirit Maker; 6-Flint Stroll
DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
SECOND RACE:
La Macarena (August 7, Del Mar, 6f, 1:13.3h). Grade: B+
Breezing through the lane while looking quite nice for P. Miller, never asked, splits of :12 flat, :36.2 and :49 flat from the 3/8 pole to the 7/8 pole. Daughter of Bayern shows three solid drills over the local main track since vanning in from San Luis Rey Downs. Plenty fit.
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FIFTH RACE:
Jennifer’s d’Light (July 29, Del Mar, 4f, :49.2h). Grade: B
Caught her the final quarter mile in :24.2 without being asked for M. McCarthy, plenty left late. Not sure how quick she is but moves like a nice prospect. From the first crop of City of Life.
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Infinite Diamond (July 24, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.4h). Grade: B
Breezing outside Surrogate (same time) for Biancone, never asked at any stage, final half mile in :24.3 and :49.2 while slightly best at the wire. Was runner-up in a good effort in Florida in her debut in mid-June and seems certain to step forward with that bit of experience behind her.
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Halosnheaven (August 7, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.1h). Grade: B
No blinkers, mild coaxing only outside She Gogo (same time) for B. Baffert, final half mile :24.1 and :48.3 (strong gallop out, too), solid drill by well-regarded daughter of Curlin. Can only get better with distance and experience after finishing second in a quick dash in her debut last month.
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SEVENTH RACE:
Driver’s Ed (August 6, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.4hg). Grade: C
(see Rhino, below)
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Giver Not a Taker (July 29, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.3hg). Grade: B
Second best in gate drill with Finneus (5f, 1:00.1hg) and Shardial (5f, 1:01.1hg) for P. Miller, easy early, ridden pretty hard late, winding up two lengths back at the conclusion of the work, splits of :24.1, :36 flat, :47.3 and 1:00 flat on our watches, a couple of ticks faster than given and not bad considering the “winner” of this drill is a stakes winner. Dancing Candy gelding should be quite competitive with juvenile state-bred foes in his debut.
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Rhino (August 6, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.3hg). Grade: B
Much best over Driver’s Ed (5f, 1:01.4hg) for D. Blacker in strong fashion in gate drill, not fast early (not asked) but with a good late kick, splits of :24.4, :36.4, :48.4 and 1:00.4 on our watches, finishing with power and with something left. Bred for distance (Texas Ryano) and likely won’t show his best until given that chance.
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NINTH RACE:
Arman (August 7, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.2h). Grade: B+
Broke off a couple of lengths behind Deliberate Risk (same time) and finished down the lane with that one, not asked at all in the final furlong, :11.2 and :36.1 on our watches from the 3/8 pole to the wire. Looked quite good winning his debut at Churchill Downs in June and should be very competitive in the Best Pal Stakes. Will be doing his best work late.
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Havnameltdown (August 8, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.1h). Grade: A-
Very impressive solo five furlong drill, never really asked through the lane, final quarter mile in :24 flat for B. Baffert. Loved his maiden win; looks to have stepped forward since. Clearly the one to beat in the Best Pal S.
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TENTH RACE:
National Road (July 31, Del Mar, 5f, 1:02.3h TC DU). Grade: B
In blinkers, late changing leads but was never asked and appeared to get over the grass just fine in steady solo five furlong drill around dogs for M. Glatt. Crushed maiden claimers last time out and appears to have further improvement in him.
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