(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).
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DEL MAR SPOTLIGHT RACES:
First Race – Post: 2:00 PT
Top Pick: 3-Queenzy (6-1)
This juvenile filly offers excellent wagering value at or near her morning line of 6-1 if you can get it. She was pinched back at the start and eliminated in her debut in April at Gulfstream Park but recovered to produce an extended run to wind up a much-better-than-looked second, then was sold to her current owners for what we’ll assume was considerably more than the $2,500 she brought as a yearling. Since joining the Jeff Mullins barn, the daughter of Classic Empire has put together a series breezing workouts that should have her set to produce a significant forward move. There are a couple of first timers that look intriguing – 1-Heart of the Night and 2-Balenciaga Betty both show local gate works of :47 flat that indicate a certain degree of speed and ability – but the main push in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics will go the Florida shipper.
Fourth Race: Post: 3:30 PT
Top Pick: 5-Hero Status (8/5)
This Mark Glatt-trained colt still has a chance to be a decent sort but after hitting the board in his first three starts it’s time for him to actually win a race. The son of Flatter has rising speed figures – actually he’s quite fast on figures alone – but having failed to deliver the goods as the post time favorite in all three of his prior runs he may prove difficult to trust. A series of recent sharp drills since raced indicates she’s ready to step forward again, so unless there’s a high-quality colt in the lineup he should finally break through with a maiden score in his first try around two-turns (and he’s bred for it). We’ll make him a rolling exotic single while suggesting that 2-Palagio and 4-Surrogate should be the ones to hook him up with in exacta/trifecta play.
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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-4)
1st race: 3-Queenzy
2nd race: 2-Righteously ; 8-Li’l Grazen
3rd race: 8-Kitty Kitana; 1-Velvet; 6-Unwhirled
4th race: 5-Hero Status
(Races 5-8)
5th race: 1-Barnfield; 3-Settecento; 6-Goldini
6th race: 5-Empire Pass; 1-Loma Vista; 7-Midnight’s Girl
7th race: 3-Pammy’s Ready; 2-Del Mar Drama; 1-Woodbine Way
88h race: 4-Fliplit; 10-Jewelofakid; 6-So Softly
DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
FIRST RACE:
Queenzy (July 13, Santa Anita, 4f, :49.4h TT). Grade: B
In blinkers, slow final time but a rather nice drill, breezing every step of the way while appearing sharp and eager, final three furlongs in :36.2, slightly best inside Herecomesgeorgieboy (same time) for J. Mullins. Finished a troubled second in debut in Florida and should be quite competitive on this circuit.
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FOURTH RACE:
Surrogate (July 24, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.4h). Grade: B-
Came the final half mile inside Infinite Diamond (same time) and was not asked much but drifted out a couple of lanes in the final furlong while head-and-head at the wire (galloped out okay). Finished a distant third in only start in Kentucky over a marathon trip on the lawn, hard to classify on the dirt but is bred to improve on it.
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Hero Status (July 8, Santa Anita, 4f, :49.1h). Grade: B
Breezing throughout in solo half mile move, final three furlongs in :37.2, plenty left without taking a deep breath. Still a maiden after three starts but his speed figures to continues to rise. Have to think he’ll be hard to beat next time.
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FIFTH RACE:
Goldini (July 17, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:01.3h). Grade: B
In blinkers, breezing throughout in training track drill outside Leisurewear (same time) and was a tad the best at the wire, plenty left after going off slowly (:24.3h) and then finishing with a ton left. Never raced on dirt (bred for it), probably should be given a chance sometime soon (but not in today’s race).
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SIXTH RACE:
Loma Vista (July 23, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.3h). Grade: B-
See Midnight’s Girl (below)
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Midnight’s Girl (July 23, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.2h). Grade: B
In blinkers, outside Loma Vista (same time) with both breezing through the lane looking in good shape for P. D’Amato. Both are doing well and should be quite competitive in mid-grade claiming sprints for sophomore fillies.
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SEVENTH RACE:
Snark (July 29, Del Mar, 4f, :47.2h). Grade: C+
Much best outside The Big Cake (4f, :49.4h) for E. Kruljac, head-and-head to the wire before being asked out to the 7/8 under urging and drawing clear by a few lengths, final half mile in :37.2 and :50 flat (way slower than given). Comes off maiden win but allowance types should prove much more challenging.
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EIGHTH RACE:
Fliplit (July 29, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.2h). Grade: B-
In blinkers, maybe a tad the best outside Smiling at Val (5f, 1:01.3h) for A. Mathis, final three furlongs in :11.4 and :37.1, no real pressure, okay drill for bottom rung maiden claimer. Should be a reasonable fit on this circuit.
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