(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).
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DEL MAR SPOTLIGHT RACES:
Fifth Race: Post: 3:00 PT
Top Pick: 10-Single Track Mind (4-1)
This English invader is fresh off the plane following what Racing Post described as a “promising” run at 80-1 in good company in an 18-runner event at York three weeks ago, and if the Mark Glatt-trained import steps forward as expected he could very well spring a mild surprise in this wide open maiden juvenile turf miler. The outside post is no bargain but with top grass pilot Umberto Rispoli taking the call we’ll assume he’ll be able to secure a reasonable mid-pack trip and then have every chance to produce a winning late kick. You should also include on your ticket the first timer 8-Rhythem On Stage, a California-bred colt debuting in open company for trainer Carla Gaines. He’s done some very good work in the morning (see below) and could easily be much better than his 8-1 morning line gives him credit for.
Fifth Race – Post: 4:03 PT
Top Pick: 13-Tahoma (8-1)
Although he’s stuck way outside in the 13-hole in this mile grass event and will therefore have to deal with a relatively short run into the clubhouse turn, this talented colt still might be good enough to win this year’s edition of the Del Mar Juvenile Turf. He displayed plenty of promise during the spring when sprinting on dirt and can be expected to be much more effective under these conditions, the poor draw notwithstanding. Recent workouts have been quite impressive, so at 8-1 on the morning line this Doug O’Neill-trained son of Justify is worth a gamble in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.
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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-4)
1st race: 8-Peanut Butter Can
2nd race: 6-Holden the Lute; 1-Street Ruckus; 3-Star Alignment; 5-Spirit of Makena
3rd race: 9-Reincarnate; 10-Kid Azteca
4th race: 4-Smiling Thunder; 11-So It Would Seem
5th race: 10-Single Track Mind; 8-Rhythem On Stage
(Races 5-8)
6th race: 8-Getthemoney; 3-Spicybug
7th race: 12-Atomic Drop; 13-Evenerevenworse; 9-Creative Peak
8th race: 7-Censorship; 8-Princess Adaleigh
9th race: 13-Tahoma
10th race: 7-Cave Rock; 6-Newgate; 4-Skinner
11th race: National Road12-Canelo; 8-Uncle Jeff
DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
THIRD RACE:
Reincarnate (September 4, Del Mar, 5f, :59.4h). Grade: B
In blinkers, second best inside talented Fort Bragg (5f, :59.2h), breaking off a length in front but winding up a length back at the wire under urging (workmate mostly in hand), splits of :24.1, :36 flat and :59.4, doing his best to the end to record a solid final time. A one-paced grinding type, he debuts over a distance of ground, sensibly so. With Scat Daddy on the bottom, he has a right to enjoy grass.
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FOURTHRACE:
So It Would Seem (September 5, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.2h). Grade: B-
Stride-for-stride outside Sam Malone (same time) for J. Sadler, neither one asked at any stage, final three furlongs in :11.3 and :36.4. Seems in okay shape but has been disappointing in the afternoon, may get her confidence back with a sharp drop in class.
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FIFTH RACE:
Rhythem On Stage (September 4, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01h). Grade: B+
Breezing every step of the way while tons best outside Chrome to Riches (5f, 1:01.1h) for C. Gaines, a ton left in the tank while able to go considerably faster if turned loose. Juvenile colt is short on pedigree but definitely can run and seems reasonably fit. Gate work August 29 while quite sharp as well.
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Nielson (September 5, Del Mar, 5f, :59.4h). Grade: B
Not bad for B. Baffert while inside Hayoushi (same time) in team gate drill, splits of :24.2, :36 flat, :48 flat and 1:00.3 on our watches, slower than given and perhaps a tad second best under mild urging in the closing stages. Doesn’t act like a sprint type (by Curlin, so he shouldn’t be), probably would prefer to see one first.
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SIXTH RACE:
Spicybug (September 3, Del Mar, 5f, :59.3hg). Grade: B
Not asked to the head of the lane, was ridden a bit late and proved slightly best outside Jeweled Shillelagh (same time) for M. McCarthy while going a few ticks slower than given but still a solid drill, splits of :24.4. 36.3, :48.2 and 1:00.2 on our watches, slow early but decent late. Displayed some promise when third in her debut and has every right to produce a forward move with a race under her belt.
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Gila (September 3, Del Mar, 5f, :59.4h). Grade: B
In blinkers, ridden a bit through the lane and responded well, final three furlongs in :11.3 and :35.4 for P. D’Amato. Showed some ability in the spring when trained by W. Ward and should be competitive on this circuit vs. maiden juvenile fillies.
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Doinitthehardway (September 8, Del Mar, 5f, :59.3h). Grade: B+
No blinkers, looked very nice inside Spooky Lady (same time) while going the easier of the two, slow early but strong from the top of the lane to the wire, splits of :25.1, 37 flat and 1:01.1 on our watches from the five furlong pole to the wire. Obviously didn’t go nearly as fast as official time but seems certain to improve with experienced after finishing a sharp second in her debut.
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EIGHTH RACE:
Censorship (September 4, Del Mar, 6f, 1:11.4h). Grade: B+
Always a very willing worker and did quite well inside Newgate (same time) while traveling all the way out to the six furlong pole inside talented juvenile and staying with that one throughout, splits of :23.2, :47 flat, :58.4 and 1:11.3 on our watches, both quite impressive while looking plenty fit and ready. Hard to believe this daughter of Tonalist is still a maiden.
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NINTH RACE:
Packs a Wahlop (September 4, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.4h). Grade: B-
Ridden mildly through the lane in solo main track drill for J. Mullins, final three furlongs in :37 flat. Just a moderate drill, probably wants grass.
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Mas Rapido (September 4, Del Mar, 4f, :50h). Grade: B-
In blinkers outside Lure Him In (4f, :49.4h) and was ridden pretty good late while late changing leads, final three furlongs in :36.3 after going off slowly. Nothing special based on this drill but we’ll assume he’s much better on grass.
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Tahoma (September 4, Del Mar, 5f, :58.4h). Grade: B+
Very light coaxing only while finishing with good energy and plenty left, final half mile in :12 flat, :23.3 and :46.4 for D. O’Neill. Justify colt looks better now than he did during the spring and seems certain to enjoy grass and two turns. Has big look in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf.
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TENTH RACE
Newgate (September 4, Del Mar, 6f, 1:11.4h). Grade: A-
Very impressive outside Censorship (same time) while traveling out to the six furlong pole under mild coaxing only, splits of :23.2, :47 flat :58.4 and 1:11.3 on our watches, strong every step of the way. Was sharp in his maiden debut win and seems to have come on even more since that late July score. Should be very competitive in the Del Mar Futurity.
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Cave Rock (September 4, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.1h). Grade: B+
In blinkers, slightly best over Havnameltdown (same time) for B. Baffert, very light coaxing, splits of :23.4, :48 flat and 1:00 flat on our watches while traveling out to the seven furlong pole with plenty left. Has his speed but acts like added distance won’t be an issue at all (and in fact being by Arrogate he’ll probably be even better around two turns down the road).
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Havnameltdown (September 4, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.1h). Grade: B
See Cave Rock, above
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