Del Mar Picks: 8 races with full fields start the week on July 28

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

With picks and analysis through Labor Day, it should be a rousing series of events ... Some of the highlights include the 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 Thursday 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 !!!

Most Likely Winner: (Race 5: Slammed #6, 3/1):

A couple of former jockeys-turned-trainers from the Southwest will be squaring off. You probably forgot that in his younger days, Bob Baffert rode, but so did Todd Fincher. They will face one another in this high-level OC80k event (Baffert has his customary uncoupled entry). I am partial to Fincher’s fine filly. The daughter of Marking is a sprinter through and through. Her conditioner has taught her to break quickly, and she has a powerful kick. Some might argue that it makes sense that she was beaten by Steve Asmussen’s Pauline’s Pearl in the Zia Park Oaks $200k, but that’s not the whole story. The then-3-yr-old stepped on herself, and that made it nearly impossible to even hit-the-board. Returning to fine form this summer, she is ready to make her Del Mar debut. Fincher won his 1st race at the track last summer, and should collect another score in this spot. Baffert beware …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #6

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 3: Buttonwood Tree #6, 6/1):

It is not going to be easy to best Bob Baffert’s 1st time starter, Cross Examine #1. The $475k purchase at the Keeneland September Sale in 2019 might not be ready. I much prefer Jeff Bonde’s new acquisition, a Cal bred by Stanford that used to be with Jeff Mullins. A barn switch might do the job, but I am banking on the class drop from MC50k Co. That last race the homebred competed in was awfully difficult at Los Al, and I think he should be ready to fire in this cycle. The best news of all is Edwin Maldonado takes over the piloting duties. He handles young, lightly-raced runners very well. Experience counts … and so does the price, 6/1 on the M/L.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #6 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 7: Dirt, 7F, Fleet Treat S., $175k, 3F):

The signature event on the Thursday card brings together 7, 3-yr-old filles (#6 scratched) in this “Non-G” dirt sprint. It is possible that we will have co-favorites on the board, what with Phil D’Amato’s Connie Swingle #4 (8/5) and Bob Baffert’s Fun to Dream #5 (5/2) competing for the top odds spot. The former is making a surface switch to dirt, while the latter is formally under his HOF’s eye now that the trainer is done with his 90-day suspension. I am going to use both of them in a wager, but I much prefer the other half of D’Amato’s uncoupled entry. Rose Dawson #1 is a Cal bred by Grazen, and Nick Alexander bred and owns her. She started her career on the dirt at Los Al, and broke her maiden 1st time out back in early December. With only 2 other races to her credit (both on grass), she ran impressively on both. Jockey Ramon Vazquez gets the call, and this rider had quite a spring at Oaklawn. That was a challenging colony to be a part of, so he has the potential to further boost his career out in SoCal. This top pick should be more than a square price. Here is the wager …

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Wheel, 1 w 4/5 w 4/5

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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 !!!