When a 1-9 favorite can’t hold to win what can you say but another 3 out of 4 Pick 4 day! Such is racing. We have 8 races today and a 4pm start time. This was a very tough card to handicap and try and keep the ticket prices low. That usually means longshots are coming.

If you are going to Del Mar this summer be sure to stop by and say Hi. I will be hosting the Newcomers Seminar every Friday and Sunday inside the main gate.

My Del Mar Season Pass is on sale now for only $150 a 40% discount! Sale ends today!

VALUE PLAY OF THE DAY:

In race 3 Miss Ricochet clearly prefers racing on turf. She won last out at this distance off a 6 week break. The previous dirt races were poor. She races protected today and we see two very sharp workouts including a best of the day 48 second workout and a 47 second one last week in preparation for today. This is an allowance race so these are legitimate workouts, not workouts hoping to entice someone to claim the horse.  Jockey Martin Pedroza is winning 40% for the trainer Mark Glatt. Horses over 5-1 have won this race 31% of the time and we are getting a nice 12-1 morning line. The strategy here today will be to use the post position and go “gate to wire” If the horse is in front into the turn we have a big price chance.

Pick 5 I need a single is in race 4 Uno Trouble Maker who has won four races in a row in dominating fashion for trainer Bill Spawr. Spawr is having a great year from his small stable winning 28% and is already 1 for 1 here at Del Mar.  He is winning 23% off the bench like today and 23% winner last race and all for a positive ROI. When you bet his horses you make a profit overall. 7/2 is an excellent value and the price is likely to go higher as money will pour onto the top two choices.

Longshots of the Day:

Race 5: Strike at Dawn was sired by War Front and cost $150k and after running second in the debut race won next out in February and hit the bench. We have three sharp works in this allowance race including one over the grass here at the beach. This is a very wide open race so we are spreading and looking for prices.

Today’s Race 5 Late Pick 4 will cost $45 with horses listed in preference.

11,3,6,9,2

3,1,4

1,7 (4)*

4,8,3

Today’s Race 1 Early Pick 5 will cost $45 singling with horses listed in preference

1,2,3 (7)*

1,4 (2)*

8,1,5

1 (3,6,2)

11,3,6,9,2

Selections for each race with horses listed in preference

Race 1: 1,2,3 (7)*

Race 2: 1,4 (2)*

Race 3: 8,1,5 (3)*

Race 4: 11,3,6,9,2

Race 5: 5,8

Race 6: 1

Race 7: 9,1,4,7,10,11

*Horses listed in brackets are for added coverage if wanted and for exotics.

For races where I only have one or two selections I usually like to KEY the top choice  with the second choice and an outside for trifectas.

When I have three horses selected in a Pick 4 or Pick 5 consider them for Trifecta boxes and for superfecta boxes use the 3 selections with the highest priced horse with good form or top tier jockeys riding, especially if they give a price. Rolling Pick 3 and doubles using selections. 

Irish horse racing saying –

“Bíonn grásta Dé idir an dialait agus an talamh.”

“The grace of God is found between the saddle and the ground.”