When you dive into a card and prices jump out, you get excited. That could be the case on Sunday at Del Mar, where an 11-race program features the Grade 2 $250,000 Eddie Read. Formidable Man is 7: 6-1-0 at Del Mar and a legitimate favorite to defend the Eddie Read title he secured at 4-5 odds last summer. But it’s the undercard that offers lucrative opportunities. First post is 5 pm ET / 2 pm PT.
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 (this week’s full-card came Saturday).
Del Mar: Race 1 | 5:00 pm ET
#8 Corporal Violette (6-1 morning line odds) comes from an obscure jockey-trainer combo, which helps insure a good price. But note she won this condition in October and like many of the Starspangledbanner offspring does excellent work on this turf course. Love the second-off-the-layoff and sprint-to-route form cycle; she upset at Santa Anita at 8-1 the last time trainer Mark Rheinford sharpened her in a sprint prior to routing. Win-place bet #8. Picks 8-1-4-7
Del Mar: Race 2 | 5:32 pm ET
#1 Bello Rosso (15-1 morning line odds) gets a longshot look with a chance to show some rail speed if allowed to cook early. Resisted restrained last out in his first route and Kyle Frey gives him his best chance if able to get into gear in a short field without a ton of early pace. The offspring of Violence move way forward at Del Mar (20% wins, 19% profit in recent years coming into this meet). None of these proven at the distance and likely favorite, #2 Van Gogh Style, has failed to last on the lead in his last 2 shots. #3 Mickey (by Gem Heist) also bred for Del Mar success. Win-place bet #1. Exacta box 1-3. Picks 1-3-5
Del Mar: Race 6 | 7:40 pm ET
#7 Boracay Miss (20-1 morning line odds) doesn’t look like much on paper, but perked up with some speed in her last 2 and catches a weak field while getting some weight break with the apprentice. Omaha Beach offspring are a sharp 23% winner over the Del Mar dirt in recent years coming into the meet and note trainer Jeff Bonde’s first 4 starters this stand averaged 10-1 odds and included a pair of runners-up. Win-place bet #7. Exacta box 7-5. Picks 7-5-11
Del Mar: Race 8 | 8:40 pm ET
#4 Lovely Medaglia (12-1 morning line odds) is 2-for-2 sprinting and wasn’t embarrassed vs. tougher in a turf route last out. Back to a very winnable level and offspring of Gato Del Oro continue to outrun their odds and have positive showings on this main track. The rest of the field hasn’t had any local success and little experience as well. Win-place bet #4. Daily Double 4-8 to Formidable Man in the Eddie Read. Picks 4-8-3
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