A heavy favorite in Journalism in the San Diego and some wild prices along the way made for a mostly fun Saturday at Del Mar. But we had a bout of second-itis in our key plays there as well as the Haskell that left a sour taste. Let's get over the hump today.
Each day this summer at Del Mar, I’ll be handicapping the action with my top plays on the card – including full-card selections for a featured program each week. Sunday’s card features the Wickerr Stakes for turf milers.
The Day 3 program has a first post is 5 pm ET / 2 pm PT.
Del Mar: Race 4 | 6:38 pm ET
#1 Disillusioned (12-1 morning line odds) debuts from the rail with speed jockey Ricky Gonzalez aboard for Michael McCarthy, whose barn won 3 races here opening day and added a stakes win on Saturday with Journalism. Bred to love Del Mar top and bottom, and while it’s not ideal to debut going a maiden claiming route, the favorites here are 0-11 lifetime and losers at 4-5 and 8-5 as chalk in their most recent starts (and have to give 5 pounds). Worth a look if public doesn’t smash McCarthy too low in price after his fast meet start. Picks 1-10-5-7.
Del Mar: Race 5 | 7:10 pm ET
#7 Melismatic (8-1 morning line odds) gets a juicy pace set-up in a race loaded with early speed. Sat patiently and pounced on the mile stretch-out at Santa Anita in May and a similar trip would be beneficial Sunday. Irish export by Space Blues, who won the Breeders’ Cup Mile over this Del Mar course and trip. Picks 7-4-3.
Del Mar: Race 6 | 7:40 pm ET
#2 Desert Kid (8-1 morning line odds) takes a mild class drop that could get him over the top after a series of respectable efforts. Looking for a perk up at Del Mar as sire Gato Del Oro offspring win a razor-sharp 27% with a $1.48 ROI for every $1 bet on this dirt surface in recent years. Sidelined immediately after only local bid last year so we’ll disregard that in hopes of landing a price. On same pedigree angle, don’t be shocked if #11 Audible Silence (20-1 ML) gets a share of the exotics as sire Audible is a wild 31% winner with his offspring here, though don’t prefer this one sprinting. Picks 2-6-1.
Del Mar: Race 9 | 9:10 pm ET
#1 Freedom’s Not Free (5-1 morning line odds) could not fit the conditions of the Wickerr Stakes any better and love the sprint-to-route, second-off-the-layoff form cycle employed here by Mark Glatt. Excellent Del Mar turf form last year and should employ rail speed under Antonio Fresu in a race where only Captain Choochies also looks intent on the front. Picks 1-5-8.
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