(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).
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DEL MAR SPOTLIGHT RACES:
Fifth Race: Post: 4:00 PT
Top Pick: 10-Spooky Lady (5/2)
Originally purchased as a yearling for $400,000, this daughter of Ghostzapper is being culled from the stable after a pair of fourth place finishes in maiden special weight company, as many big time stables will do at this time of the year with the Keeneland sales approaching. Against this infinitely softer field from a cozy outside draw and with speed figures that are good enough to win at this level, the Bob Baffert-trained 3-year-old should make the most of an easy chance, and if she gets claimed, so be it. Listed at 5/2 on the morning line and with the switch to the dominant leading rider Juan Hernandez, she has a high probability of winning and offers good wagering value in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics. Exacta players should consider hooking up our top pick with 5-Super Renee. She sports the route-to-sprint and dirt-to-turf angles while being reequipped with blinkers, and her only prior outing over the local main track produced a solid runner-up effort behind a next out winner while almost 10 lengths clear of the rest in her debut last year.
Fifth Race – Post: 4:30 PT
Top Pick: 6-Inch (7/2)
His recent form has been solid and consistent, so we’re expecting another strong effort from this veteran prototype late-running turf sprinter. Missing by a head while earning a career top speed figure over this course and distance vs. $32,000 claimers earlier this month, the Jeff Mullins-trained gelding is protected today in starter’s allowance company, and with good racing luck he should be capable of producing a winning late kick. His morning line of 7/2 seems quite fair. For protection, you may want to consider on your ticket 9-Daniel’s Magic and 5-Golden Ale. The former is solid on numbers while seeking his third straight win and has finished first or second in five of 11 career starts, while the latter is a sharp Lone Star Park invader with a good stalking style and numbers that are rising and competitive at this level.
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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-4)
1st race: 3-Prayer of Jabez; 6-I Know Cash Flow; 7-Twokidsfromdabronx
2nd race: 2-Ridin’thesetormout; 10-Sally’s Sassy
3rd race: 8-Jewelofakid; 5-Awesome Pamela
4th race: 7-Beef Winslow; 6-Bochombo; 3-Cowboy Charlie
(Races 5-8)
5th race: 10-Spooky Lady; 5-Super Renee
6th race: 6-Inch; 9-Daniel’s Magic; 5-Golden Ale
7th race: 7-Cees Get Degrees
8th race: 8-Migration; 6-Birth of Cool
DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
SECOND RACE:
Ridin’thestormout (August 21, Del Mar, 3f, :35.1hg). Grade: B
Gate work in company with Don Corleone (5f, 1:00.4hg, M. Smith up) and actually only went a quarter mile while outbreaking and outrunning the $1.2 More Than Ready colt from the bell, under a nice hold, :23.1 to the wire before being taken wide and coasting out three furlongs in :35.3 on our watches. Quick-actioned Candy Ride filly definitely has some zip, bred for turf, should be fit enough to handle five furlongs.
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Bye Bye Buggsy (August 21, Del Mar, 4f, :47.4h). Grade: B
Probably went faster than given as we caught her the final three furlongs in :11.2 and :35.2, quick leaving the pole and then finishing without undue pressure. Has some early speed for M. McCarthy, previous works placed her stamina in question, though,
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FOURTH RACE:
Ikigai (August 14, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.3h TC DU). Grade: B
Moderate solo drill around dogs on turf, easy to the top, urged late and then slowing up in the late stages. P. Miller-trained gelding probably needs a class drop.
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FIFTH RACE:
Nearest N Dearest (August 20, Del Mar, 4f, :48.3h). Grade: B-
Caught her a bit slower than given but was under restraint most of the way (swapped leads and was a bit green early) while even inside Classy (same time), splits on our watches of :24.2, :36.2 and :49 flat on our watches. Has some run, maybe a look with moderate maiden claiming types.
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SEVENTH RACE:
Micky From Wexford (August 19, Del Mar, 4f, :46.3h). Grade: B-
May have gone a bit slower than official final time, was urged through the lane to be doing his best, final quarter mile in :23.4. Not a speed type, more of a grinder, won his debut so at least we know he can fire fresh.
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