Del Mar Picks: Late Pick 4 includes G1 Bing Crosby S. and G2 San Diego H. on July 30

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is ready for another weekend near the surf … and we know what is to come on the grass, aka the turf. Situated right next to Solana Beach in SoCal, the Del Mar Meet brings together the very best racing.

With picks and analysis through Labor Day, it should be a rousing series of events ... Some of the highlights include today's Grade 1 Bing Crosby, and Grade 2 San Diego Handicap, and the forthcoming TVG Pacific Classic. Stay tuned … it is going to be another fabulous time at Del Mar!

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Saturday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter ... Horseracing_USA !!!

Late Pick 4 … Races 8-11

Race 8: Dirt, 6F, Bing Crosby Stakes (G1), $400k, 3+

The Late Pick 4 at Del Mar is going to be a fun one, especially considering 2 of the 4 races are of the “graded” variety. The “Bing” is an annual renewal of the very best male sprinters in SoCal. You will find some shippers from out-of-state, but for the most part these are fleet-footed speedsters that have regional experience over the dirt. With a good crowd of 10 present, you could conclude that this is anyone’s game. I am not so sure that is true. I see this race coming down to Bob Baffert’s Shaaz #2 and Saffie Joseph’s Drain the Clock #4. The former was under Sean McCarthy’s care while the HOF trainer was serving his 90-day suspension. After a nice start to his career (which included breaking his maiden at Santa Anita in an OC100kn2x race), Michael Petersen’s colt by Uncle Mo was sent by McCarthy to Lone Star Park to compete in the G3 Steve Sexton Mile. A short price, he was beaten by Steve Asmussen’s more experienced Silver Prospector. Now, back in Baffert’s watchful eye, he is going to shorten up and take on some tougher company. As for Joseph’s player … this is a sprinter that at one time was up against the very best 3-yr-old sprinters in the country. The son of Maclean’s Music battled Jackie’s Warrior on a number of occasions, and this year even shipped to Duabi for the Golden Shaheen (G1) on WC Night. He returned to America for owners Slam Dunk and Madaket, not as a conquering hero, but just trying to regain that past speedy form. It did not happen at Gulfstream Park in a G3, so his conditioner is trying something new. This could be just what he needs to get back to his winning ways. I will be using both of these runners … let’s move this ticket right along!

Leg 1: 2/4 (2-Deep)

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Cold, 4 w 2

Race 9: Turf, 1 Mile, OC40kn1x, 3+

With a pair of turns before us, we are heading to the Jimmy Durante for this mile event. An OC contest, it is hard to argue against the power of Phil D’Amato in spots like these. He rules the turf route biz in this part of the world, and I would not be surprised if he heads to the DMR winner’s circle once again to celebrate. Midnight Jostar #10 has the class chops to handle a field like this one, and Slam Dunk Racing is probably happy to have Umberto Rispoli in the irons. He handles this surface quite well, and his job is to take up a position 4-5 off-the-lead … sitting as good a trip as possible. If he can do that, I think this race will be his. As for one other entry that looks promising, I would not sleep on the Mandella Barn’s Goliad #6. Well-bred for the turf by War Front, the 5-yr-old gelding is poised to stretch out after making his 1st start of the year at Santa Anita in an OC50kn1x. The result of that first bow was less than stellar, but he probably needed a race, all things considered. With JJ Hernandez continuing his jockeying duties, this one has a chance to improve. The turfer’s level of fitness is improving, and that makes him very dangerous at what should be a square price … anything over 4/1 is an overlay.

Leg 2: 6/10 (2-Deep)

Wagering Recommendation: $25/$50 WP #6

Race 10: Dirt, 1 1/16th, San Diego H. (G2), $300k, 3+

If you thought the “Bing” was a tough race to handicap, then get a load of this one. The San Diego H. drew what looks like one of the best editions in recent memory, and older males are really going to duke it out around a pair of turns. When it comes to horses that will take significant amounts of money, look no further than Brad Cox’s Mandaloun #3 and Bob Baffert’s Country Grammer #8. I am probably more inclined to back the latter more than the former (if I had to choose only one), because I think Cox’s “KYD147 winner” will not have his best fastball. The Stephen Foster (G2) was supposed to be his “comeback” race after running poorly in Saudi Arabia, but it was just more of the same. I am thinking that Baffert’s entry will be ready to fire after ending up 2nd in the Saudi Cup (G1), and then the winner of the DWC (G1). John Velazquez comes to SoCal to take this mount for Zedan Racing and WinStar Farm, and that is a major move by the HOF trainer to get such a seasoned rider. If this router is at his best, he could be tough to beat. When it comes to a longer priced alternative, how about the budding talent that has returned for Todd Fincher’s Senor Buscador #5. This is my sleeper pick, but the colt by Mineshaft is a “gamer” when it counts. Joey Peacock’s now-4-yr-old loves to compete, and he is finally healthy enough to get back to the track after an injury sidelined his Derby Trail in 2021. A New Mexico-based conditioner, Fincher deserves national attention because he is a true horseman. Preparation is something he takes seriously, and I will actually be picking this one on top … I believe in Senor Buscador. Others might scoff, but Fincher had a Del Mar win just the other day versus Baffert. Never underestimate the heart of a horsman … Buscador should enjoy Del Mar’s long stretch, and you might never get such a great price on this colt again. He has never been favored in any of the races he has won in his career!

Leg 3: 5 (Single)

Wagering Recommendation: $100, Win, #5

Race 11: Turf, 1 Mile, MSW80k, F&M 3+

Oh my … do we have a puzzle on our hands here … The capstone to this LP4 ticket is going to be no easy task because these are an eclectic group of turf sprint/routers that all have one major commonality that binds them together … a lack of winning! You could make hundreds of cases for a field like this one, and this is a situation where you could run this race 1000x, and you might end up with a different win each and every time. It is going to be that kind of race. At the top of my ticket will be John Sadler’s Vivando #6. The filly is by one of my favorite sires in this current era—Twirling Candy. She looks the part for Hronis Racing, who regularly employs Sadler as their go-to conditioner. Even though she is still waiting to break her maiden, she has solid bloodlines, plus the services of JJ Hernandez. Toss in a speedy work tab, and this one has a viable edge against a group like this. With so many options, I am going to err on the side of caution, and go with the entire field. With caveman-like-effect, I am hoping to get a boxcar-priced winner here that can really send this payout to the Moon. Should be a fun way to end a magnificent day of racing at Del Mar!

Leg 4: 1-12, plus AEs, 13-14 (All)

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Box, 6/7/12/13AE/14AE

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Ticket: 2-4 / 6-10 / 5 / 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 (AEs 13-14)

.50 LP4 Cost: $24.00

Enjoy where the “Surf Meets the Turf!” Best of Luck on another run at Del Mar! Be sure to follow us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!!