Del Mar Thoroughbred Thursday Picks & Analysis for July 29
The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is ready to start its second weeks of its summer season. Based near La Jolla, California, the Del Mar Meet brings together the very best of SoCal racing, as they prepare to host the November Breeders’ Cup.
We have coverage of the action today including our most likely winner, our off-the-pace play of the day and our Spotlight Race today is Race 7.
If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country on Thursday, be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below.
Most Likely Winner: (Race 2: Scottish Star (ARG) #4, 9/5):
This one was a Grade I-winner in Argentina, and now the 4-yr-old filly comes to America for her debut. Richard Mandella is her trainer, and he has been through this scenario many times before. International runners are tricky, and that is why you want a strong conditioner with experience. I like her chances, and the choice to employ Flavien Prat makes this one a cinch in my mind. Against this field … this should be a win.
Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #4
Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 4: Blameless #1, 4/1):
Here is a runner that probably will not be a true “off-the-pace” type, but maybe … just maybe … others in this race will take money. That is horse racing … you never know until you do some tote watching. Picking-and-praying in spots like these is very tough, but we do what we can. Mike Maker has sent a strong string of runners to SoCal to compete during the Del Mar Thoroughbred Meet. When you see one of his that is owned by Paradise Farms, you know you are getting one that is well-prepared. This gelding out of Blame is ready for this turf route, and we all know what this trainer can do on that kind of surface. I am hoping for 6/1, but I may not get it. Trevor McCarthy is down the depth chart when it comes to celebrated jocks that take money. So, at least I have that going for me.
Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #4 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)
Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 7: Dirt, 1 Mile, AOC40k, F&M 3+):
In this AOC event on the MT, you will find an intriguing group of routers. Most of the cash flow will be headed to Lady Mystify #3 from the barn of Peter Eurton, and rightly so. The Bernardini filly won last time out back in February in a MSW61k by a whopping 18-lengths. Of course, there were only 3 others in the race, but still … I want to take a shot against this one and Flavien Prat. How sharp is she? That is the question.
Bob Baffert has a runner in here, that happens to be owned by his wife, Jill. She has had runners with him before, namely Du Jour, who happens to be a Grade II-winner. This one, Ginja #7, is on the make, and the filly out of Quality Road could be pretty game on the step-up. Back at Los Al, she was quite the speedster back on 4th July winning nicely in a MSW45k. Like Eurton’s hopeful, if she can move forward here, it will be interesting to see where she heads afterwards.
If the class hike is not your cup of tea, then you could go with Doug O’Neill’s venerable mare, who seems quite seasoned compared to the rest of this lot. She’s a Dime #6 knows this company like the back of her shoe, and she held the place last out at Los Alamitos. Getting Victor Espinoza might be the catalyst. Even better news is the fact that her record at Del Mar is 3/1-1-0. That is pretty inviting, and I would expect her to be in the mix against some of these newbies. Bet her …
Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Box, 3/6/7
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Enjoy where the “Surf Meets the Turf!” Best of Luck on another run at Del Mar!