(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).
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There is a $115,547 carryover and mandatory payout today in the Rainbow 6 for Pacific Classic Day, beginning in Race 6.
DEL MAR SPOTLIGHT RACES:
Fifth Race: Post: 3:05 PT
Top Pick: 3-Man Among Men (7/2)
Ran better than the line will show in his debut and seems very likely to produce a significant forward move when facing the same type of company in this one mile maiden turf event for older horses. Was forced to steady early and lost early position, commenced a wide rally into the lane and finished with good energy before galloping out with plenty left. The son of War Front has breezed very nicely since that outing, so we’re expecting this Richard Mandella-trained sophomore to be along in time with good racing luck under top turf rider Umberto Rispoli. He is listed at 7/2 on the morning line and there is good wagering value at or near that price. 12-Dancing Rincais drawn poorly but is worth including on your ticket as a backup. He’s a first-timer Lasix user and first-time gelding in his first start since November and his first since being transferred to the Neil Drysdale barn. He could easily be better than shown.
Seventh Race – Post: 4:10 PT
Top Pick: 3-Irideo (5-1)
Was visually quite impressive when quickening on a dime in the final sixteenth of a mile to pull off a 31-1 surprise in the Wickerr Stakes over this course and distance in late July and there’s every reason to believe he can score right back with a similar performance in this year’s edition of the Del Mar Mile-G2. Six years old but with only 10 career starts, this former Grade-1 winner from Argentina left his previous form behind in his last outing and with a solid series of easy workouts since that race and at 5-1 on the morning line he’s worth a gamble in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics. Exacta players should consider hooking him up with 5-Hong Kong Harry, a genuine and consistent Irish-bred from the Phil D’Amato barn. He makes a major jockey switch to Flavian Prat, shortens to a mile, and continues to shine in the morning.
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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-4)
1st race: 6-Draw the Foul; 4-Disko Tribute; 8-Wearenotbadpeople
2nd race: 4-Mambo Cool; 2-Kings River Knight; 3-Lil Nas
3rd race: 9-Just a Little Luck; 10-Cast Member
4th race: 2-High Connection
5th race: 2-Man Among Men; 12-Dancing Rinca; 1-Key Player
(Races 5-8)
6th race: 10-Hawker; 5-Massimo; 8-Practical Move
7th race: 3-Irideo5-Hong Kong Harry
8th race: 9-Exaulted; 8-Todo Fino; 3-Finneus
9th race: 7-Mackinnon; 9-Balnikhov
10th race: 5-Flightline
11th race: 9-Master Piece; 3-Gregdar; 8-Tesoro; 4-Red King
DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
THIRD RACE:
Just a Little Luck (August 27, Del Mar, 4f, :48.4h). Grade: B-
Under a nice hold, ears up, breezing through the lane, final three furlongs in :37.1. Looks like a live item vs. state-bred maiden juvenile fillies.
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FOURTH RACE:
High Connection (August 27, Del Mar, 6f, 1:12h). Grade: A-
In blinkers, inside Taiba (same time) for B. Baffert and was going the easier of the two through the lane while finishing head-and-head, final half mile in :23 flat and :47.1, excellent work considering the competition. Dead fit, has improvement in him, certainly the one to beat in the Shared Belief Stakes based on this drill.
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Newgrange (August 28, Del Mar, 5f, :59.3h). Grade: B
In blinkers, from the quarter pole to the seven furlong pole in :23.3 and :36.1 on our watches while chasing home Gregdar (5f, 1:00.2h), ridden pretty good, okay drill but not great for new trainer P. D’Amato. Been away since February, was hoping to see a bit more in this drill. Multiple graded stakes winner (in just four starts) might be a need-the-lead type.
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FIFTH RACE:
Key Player (August 21, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01h). Grade: B-
Easy breeze inside Moonlit Mischief (same time) for S. Callaghan, just galloping through the lane to finish head-and-head, final quarter in :24.3. Candy Ride colt definitely is a route type and probably is better than his modest workout times might indicate, though it’s hard to say how cranked up he is. Would expect that he’ll handle grass just fine.
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Man Among Men (August 29, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.2h). Grade: B
Did well inside Velvet (same time) for R. Mandella, never really asked while continuing out to seven furlong pole with something left while coming home in :12 flat, :36.1 and :48.3 for the final half mile. Galloped out strongly in debut and seems very likely to improve with distance and experience. Upside here.
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Chicago Soldier (August 28, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01h). Grade: B-
Slightly second best inside Quick Buck (5f, 1:00.4h), breaking off a length in front and finishing head-and-head at the wire under mild coaxing (workmate not asked), final three furlongs in a solid :36.2. Smallish Irish invader is a six-race maiden, probably prefer to see a local outing.
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Dancing Rinca (August 21, Del Mar, 6f, 1:13.2h). Grade: B
Asked a bit late and drew clear from Storming Chrome (6f, 1:14.2h) in the final furlong, nice drill while coming the final half mile in :23.4 and :48.2 for N. Drysdale. Away since last November and appears to be returning better than he left (and as a first-time gelding). Still trying to figure out whether he’s a late-running sprinter or a two-turn type.
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SIXTH RACE:
National Treasure (August 28, Del Mar, 5f, :59h). Grade: B+
In blinkers, in company outside Fort Bragg (5f, :59.1h) and was the better of the two through the lane while being moderately ridden, a length in front at the wire being asked out, final five furlongs (from the half mile pole) in :23.1, :47.1 and :59.4 on our watches. Plenty fit by now (or should be), decent (at least) prospect by Quality Road, and should be live at first asking.
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Massimo (5f, 1:00.2hg). Grade: B
Stride-for-stride from gate inside Reincarnate (same time), hard held early and slow in the opening quarter (:25 flat) but then picking it up smoothly under light coaxing only, :36.3, :48.4 and 1:01 flat on our watches, solid drill for Baffert. Was a beaten choice in debut when finishing third in a strong heat, certainly has a right to step forward with that effort behind him.
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Don Corleone (August 21, 5f, 1:00.4hg). Grade: B-
Mike Smith up, was outrun early from the gate by Ridin’thestormout (3f, :35.1hg) but took over when that one was eased up after a quarter mile, continued out solo under some coaxing and was doing his best throughout, :47.4 and 1:00.3 on our watches. Brought $1.2 million at the OBS March Sale (breezed in 9 4/5 at the preview) and is a good-sized son of More Than Ready but doesn’t necessarily strike us as a win-early type, at least sprinting on dirt.
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Hawker (August 15, Del Mar, 4f, :48.4h). Grade: B
Easy solo breeze for J. Sadler, a few ticks slower than given but nice nonetheless, splits of :37.1 and :49.2 while traveling out to the seven furlong pole and then coasting out an extra furlong in 1:03 flat. Looks good, can move forward after promising debut run, seems certain to step forward as the distances increase.
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Gandolfini (August 28, Del Mar, 5f, :59.2h). Grade: B
In blinkers, broke off at the five furlong pole a length behind Speed Boat Beach (5f, :59.3h) and was ridden through the lane to be head-and-head at the wire (workmate going easier) before continuing out to seven furlong pole under pressure (never could get by workmate), splits of :24 flat, :35.4, :59.3, 1:11.4 and then coasting out seven furlongs in an excellent 1:25.2. Long-winded son of Justify certainly should do his best over a distance of ground. Workmate (by Bayern) definitely can run, too.
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SEVENTH RACE:
Irideo (4f, :48h). Grade: B
Breezing through the lane, never asked, nice drill while maintaining his edge. Handled the dirt fine (and won on it in South America) but will stick to grass and be a major player in the Del Mar Mile S.-G2 after a legitimate win in the Wickerr S. earlier this season.
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Hong Kong Harry (August 28, Del Mar, 5f, 1:02.2h TC DU). Grade: B
In blinkers, shadow roll, broke off a few lengths in front of Balnikhov (5f, 1:01.3h TC DU) and finished down the lane with that one, head-and-head to the wire, neither one asked. Looks fine, most effective when prominent throughout in his races.
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EIGHTH RACE:
Exaulted (August 26, Del Mar, 5f, :59h). Grade: A-
Looked terrific in solo main track breeze for P. Eurton, splits of :23.2, :47.1 and :59.2 to the wire before coasting out an extra furlong in 1:12.1, never asked a drop. Most likely at his best in an elongated sprint and appears on top of his game.
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NINTH RACE:
Mackinnon (August 20, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.4h). Grade: A-
Broke off a few lengths behind Worse Read Sanchez (5f, 1:02h) and gobbled that one up with ease through the lane, never asked at any stage while finishing with a ton left for D. O’Neill. Ran below his best form in the Oceanside S. but can leave that form behind based on this drill. Needs to drop his head early and relax in the afternoon.
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Balnikhov (August 28, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.3h TC DU). Grade: A-
Broke off a few lengths behind Hong Kong Harry (5f, 1:02.2h TC DU) and caught that one in the upper stretch before finishing down the lane stride-for-stride (neither one asked), quite sharp for P. D’Amato. Clearly wants to be held up early and produced late. Seems likely to verify the quality of his Oceanside win in the Del Mar Derby.
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TENTH RACE:
Flightline (August 27, Del Mar, 5f, :59.3h). Grade: A
Stunning work without ever being asked for his best, breezing in the lane, and then galloping with a ton left. Couldn’t look any better and is the deserving 1/5 morning line favorite in the Pacific Classic.
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ELEVENTH RACE:
Tizamagician (August 25, Del Mar, 7f, 1:29.2h TC DU). Grade: B-
One-paced grinder did okay in solo turf drill around dogs, final quarter in :25.3. Aways has been a one-paced grinder, not sure he’ll be at his best on this turf course where acceleration (turn of foot) is necessary for success.
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