Del Mar Picks & Analysis for August 26

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club's 2021 Pacific Classic Day was a rousing success for all intents and purposes ... Handle reached heights previously unimaginable, as the CAWs clearly made a series of monied statements ... Although Closing Day is right around the corner, we are not done yet !

Once again, our turf-man, J.N Campbell, offers some suggestions on how to bet and a few long shots that are real gems. He has you covered with selections for the entire 8-race card. Another weekend of beautiful weather from Southern California is on the way ... where the surf and the turf merge!

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 6: Bulletproof One #7, 2/1):

If you are looking for a sure bet on this opening Thursday, then Peter Miller’s filly out of Idiot Proof is the one to bet. Her frontend speed is something you cannot teach. With natural ability, she finds ways to secure the lead … her major issue is holding it. That will be Ricardo Gonzalez’s task in what will be his 5th-time in-a-row to ride the 4-yr-old. Last out in the Daisycutter 75k, as she made her 2021 debut, she got tired down the lane, after blazing through an opening .22 on the Del Mar Jimmy D at 5F. Eclipse Thoroughbreds and Gary Barber make for a fine ownership group, but they are going to have to leave the racing to horse/rider to get this one her 1st score in over a year. She is capable under Miller’s fine tutelage.  

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #7

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 3: Vander Kelen #6, 5/1):

If you are shopping for a bit of a bargain in a lower level claiming race, then take a look at this one from the barn of Mark Glatt. The 6-yr-old gelding is making his 2021 debut, and I like this angle because his maturity will come into play. Last year, he was entered in a pair of Del Mar races, one of which resulted in a 2nd place finish in a Clm16k. Glatt doesn’t have stunning numbers when it comes to bringing runners off the bench, but I think this is precisely the right time to back this son of New Year’s Day. With Juan Hernandez up, he should be able to take advantage of his blazing speed. There is a chance that he will drift towards 6/1 or even higher. What a bet!

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS # ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 7: Dirt, 1 Mile, AOC20k, $72k, 3+ Cal breds):

In the de facto “Feature” on this Thursday card, we find a good group of dirt milers that are ready to go in this AOC event. I want to play what I call the “D’Amato Special.” No, it is not a plate of ham and eggs with spinach … this is a variation of a series of bets that I frequently played with Chad Brown back in the early Bricks and Mortar days (others in the betting world have something similar, I am sure). When you have a pair of runners from the same barn (an uncoupled entry), that have odds that might end up quite different, take your bankroll and place a total of 4 bets (2 win, 2 place).

Since D’Amato’s favorite (and the lower price) is likely to be Wilson Monk #4, who posted a strong speed fig. last out, let’s put more “win” money on him. Then decrease the amount on Atomic Drop #9, who is his other entry. It is likely this gelding will be higher odds, so it is not necessary to load up on him. We are spreading enough to cover ourselves, not spending a huge amount of cash, but still leaving ourselves with a legitimate opportunity to cash more than one ticket. Though some ‘cappers will “boo and hiss” at such a suggestion, the fact of the matter is … either one of these well-bred SoCal types could get home 1st. Let’s hope they finish 1-2 … wouldn’t that be sweet?

Wagering Recommendation: Bankroll $100, #4-W$20, P$30 / #9-W$10, P$40

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Enjoy where the “Surf Meets the Turf!” Best of Luck on another run at Del Mar!