Del Mar Picks & Analysis for September 2
It is the final week of racing at The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, and although jockey Flavien Prat has won the jockey's riding title, we are not done just yet. With 5 days of great racing that comes to a close on Labor Day, September 6,
Once again, our turf-man, J.N Campbell, offers some suggestions on how to bet and will be doling out a few long shots along the way. He has you covered with selections for the entire 9-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 3: Code Duello #8, 5/2):
Trainer Craig Dollase sends this 3-yr-old colt out of Honor Code back down to Del Mar for another try at their Main Track. A couple of races back, he ran a nice 2nd behind Positivity in a Clm50k 7F event for Richard Baltas. Coming from off-the-pace is not easy, and Dollase clearly recognized the opportunity to snag him. The new conditioner got aggressive with his new charge and sent the colt up to Golden Gate for “Non-G” 50k on the turf. The result was a solid “Place” to Steve Specht’s Jungle Cry, who was heavily favored. None of these attempts should come as a surprise because this runner came up through the ranks with Brad Cox. That means he had a strong foundation, and should be one to watch/wager on!
Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #8
Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 8: Austin’s Boy #5, 6/1):
In a full field like this one, and on the grass to boot, it will not be easy to nab a winner, but I think I have more than a viable solution. Trainer Eric Kruljac has yet to score a win during this Del Mar Meet, but he has come awfully close (16/0-5-3). Sending this well-bred runner back to what he can do best is a real plan. The homebred, who is owned by Pamela Tilema, has the ability to get to the lead. If the gelding out of Idiot Proof can break well, he should be able to hold it against this group. It will not be easy, but I think he deserves another chance after coming off the bench last time in a similar contest.
Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #5 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)
Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 5: Dirt, 6½F, OC20k, 3+):
Out of these 12 that will be sprinting down the MT backstretch, it looks like a pair of half-sisters will be vying for favoritism. Both Peter Miller’s Taming the Tigress #9 and Kristi’s Tiger #10 are fillies who know how to win. This will be an interesting matchup in that the former is a year younger than the latter. I want to use both of them in some exotic wagers (no pun intended speaking of tigers …), but I am also interested in Andrew Lerner’s long shot, Miss Glorious #3. She looks to be an interesting one in that she gets “blinkers” and Lasix for the first time, and is dropping down from running in higher company last year. Lerner is due for a victory, and with Joe Bravo riding, he may just get it. Out of Goldencents, this runner looks like she has put in some very good works, and that might mean she is ready to fire. At 15/1, that is a super value deal if you ask me!
Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Box, 3/9/10
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Enjoy where the “Surf Meets the Turf!” Best of luck on this final week at Del Mar!