(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).
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DEL MAR SPOTLIGHT RACES:
Second Race – Post: 4:40 PT
2-Respect the Hustle (4-1)
Back when he was a 2-year-old five years ago, this son of Colonel John broke his maiden in good company over this turf course, and in his present form he should be capable of winning over the local lawn again in this restricted (non-winners this year) $32,000 claimer. Two strong recent efforts up north tell us he’s in form, and with a pace-stalking style that guarantees a good, ground-saving trip, the Bill McLean-trained gelding seems well-spotted for a major effort. First or second in 17 of 44 career starts, he’s always been genuine and dependable, so at 4-1 on the morning line he’ll offer solid wagering value. 6-Overdue and 10-Border Town are among those that are usable in the exacta and/or trifecta.
Eighth Race: Post: 7:25 PT
Top Pick: 4-Pepperman (5-1)
With just one prior start, this four-year-old gelding is the least exposed in the field and we suspect he’s better than a normal bottom-rung maiden claimer. A respectable fourth in a maiden $50,000 grass sprint in his debut last month, the son of Speightster tackles much easier company today, stretches out, switches to the dirt, and has trained pretty well since raced. Blinkers are added, Joe Bravo stays aboard, and in field lacking in early speed (or late speed too, for that matter), the Dan Blacker-trained gelding should have every chance to step forward at 5-1 on the morning line. Exacta players should consider the class-dropping 9-Hulk and the improving 10-Chicksaw in the vertical and horizontal exotics.
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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-4)
1st race: 8-Cocktail Princess; 11-It’s Saul Right; 3-Yo Yo Mama; 2-Elegant Sway
2nd race: 2-Respect the Hustle; 6-Overdue; 10-Border Town
3rd race: 5-Charge Cash; 2-Smileforme
4th race: 12-A Little Bit Crazy; 5-Avery Blue; 9-Don’t Ju Forget
(Races 5-8)
5th race: 5-Seven Sisters; 1-Red Hot Lass; 8-Little Rachel
6th race: 5-Leggs Galore; 7-Twilight Gleaming; 4-She’s So Nice
7th race: 4-She’s Bulletproof; 8-She’s a Joker
8th race: 4-Pepperman; 9-Hulk; 10-Chickasaw
DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
FIRST RACE:
Elegant Sway (July 22, Del Mar, 4f, :49.4h). Grade: B-
Breezing and clearly best inside over Quickly Park It (same time) while always under a nice hold, splits of :37.2 and :49.4 from the 3/8 pole to the 7/8 pole for S. McCarthy, something left late. Moves like a colt with enough ability to be competitive for a maiden tag and seems plenty fit.
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Yo Yo Mama (July 23, Del Mar, 4f, :47.3h). Grade: B-
Not really asked much through the lane to be slightly behind at the wire with Vanisky (4f, :47.2h), urged hard), okay move for maiden claiming-type juvenile for B. Koriner, final quarter in a strong :23.3. Seems likely to improve with a class drop.
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Henny On Ice (July 13, Santa Anita, 4f :50.4hg). Grade: B-
Wasn’t really asked in solo gate work for R. Hanson, splits of 25 flat, :37 flat and :49.4 on our watches, a full second slower than given but not too bad. Juvenile filly may have enough ability to act with soft maiden claimers. Seems fairly fit.
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It’s Saul Right (July 21, Del Mar, 4f, :51h). Grade: B-
Easy breeze inside Tom Horn (same time) for S. Miyadi, slightly best late, splits of :24.4 and :50 flat on our watches, a few ticks faster than given and decent enough for a maiden claiming type. Has an improving pattern and may be ready to break hers maiden next time out.
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SECOND RACE:
Forever Mo (July 23, Del Mar, 4f, :48.2h). Grade: B-
Never really asked while coming home in :24 flat on his own courage for K. Desormeaux. Looks fine but might require a class drop.
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Overdue (July 23, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.2h). Grade: B
In blinkers, just galloping through the lane while looking sharp and eager for P. D’Amato, final three furlongs in :12 flat and :36 flat, plenty left late. Recent form below par but after a brief freshening this long-winded gelding seems perked up for an improve effort.
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THIRD RACE:
Charge Cash (July 22, 4f, :46.4h). Grade: B+
Full of run through the lane while breezing every step of the way, :47.3 on our watches from the 3/8 pole to the 7/8 pole, plenty left in the tank, just galloping in the final furlong. Was a voided claim last time out but certainly looked fine here.
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FIFTH RACE:
Little Rachel (July 15, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:01.1h). Grade: C+
Ridden a bit in the final furlong outside younger Pure Fire (same time) for J. Sadler, final three furlongs in an average :37.1 to be a tad second best at the wire. Fair to moderate drill, needs a class drop.
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SIXTH RACE:
She’s So Nice (July 23, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.3h). Grade: B+
Under a tight hold throughout while finishing under wraps, final three furlongs in :12.2 and :37.2 looking sharp and eager for P. D’Amato. Form suggests she prefers turf but got over this dirt track just fine in this breezing drill.
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Leggs Galore (July 17, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:02.1h TT). Grade: B
In blinkers, solo training track drill for P/ D’Amato, was guzzled to the top, then was allowed to stride out a bit through the lane and finished with plenty left, final three furlongs on our watches in :13.1 and :37.1. Obviously could have gone considerably faster if permitted, looks fine, should probably stick to sprinting.
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Twilight Gleaming (July 17, Saratoga, 4f, :49.3b TT TC). Grade: B
Strictly on her own in solo breeze over training track grass course at Saratoga, appearing fine. Won the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf Sprint over the Del Mar grass course last year so you know she can handle the sharp turns. Arrives in good shape for W. Ward.
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SEVENTH RACE:
She’s Bulletproof (July 22, Del Mar, 6f, 1:12.2h). Grade: B
Broke off a couple of lengths behind Emerald Lake (6f, 1:12.4h) and then moved up through the lane to finish head-and-head to the wire and then out to the 7/8 pole stride-for-stride while perhaps a tad the best, splits of :23.4, :47.4 and 1:00.1 from the half mile pole out to the 7/8 pole for P. Miller. Acts like she’ll handle dirt and two turns based on this drill, exits a series of contentious open allowance races
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EIGHTH RACE:
Pepperman (July 16, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:01.2h). Grade: B-
In blinkers, shadow roll, a little late changing leads but stayed on willingly through the lane while even inside with Queen ofthe Temple (same time), final half mile in :23.2 and :48.4 for D. Blacker. Not a bad work for a bottom-rung maiden claimer, probably has improvement in him.
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