08-26-2015

What a day it was on Sunday! Yes we got the smallish Pick 4 of $94 for our $27 bet but it was a win after so many 3 of 4 lately. The big money, however, was on my outsiders on Sunday. In race 6 Horizontaly Speaking came home at a great price and my other 2 highlighted exotics came in second and third for a $295 trifecta for a buck. In race 7 my live outsider Everlovin Lady came in second for a big price completing a big exacta for us and I also tagged the trifecta for $107 for a buck in my analysis. It was this time last year that we rocked at Del Mar so lets see if we can repeat it! Going back to my usual full write-ups I do for Santa Anita worked like a charm.

Race 5 is a 6 1/2 furlong race and that is right up #5 Q’Viva’s alley but she is a turf horse. Bejarano rides and trainer Glatt is 25% dirt to turf so we need extra coverage. I have bet on #6 Swisserlla many times with mixed results but she was claimed last out by a trainer/owner who lost her to a claim in June. We scored on a move like this last week and Prat chooses to ride. She was third last out at this level off a 2 month break and won at this distance in January. #8 Kiss At Midnigt drops today after a second and has a win and second prior to that.

There is nothing special in race 6 for maidens. The favorite wins 50% and that favorite today is likely to be #7 Worldwide ridden by Talamo who was third then second each time running a half furlong more and today goes for 6 1/2. I also like #5 Diablo Cabellero who was previously ridden by Talamo for a trainer 25% route to sprint. Bejarano rides #2 Cool Green for O’Neill but he has been training at Los Al and I tend to prefer firsters who train at Del Mar. O’Neill sends out three horses today. The one that interests me is #6 Excessive Journey with Prat who put in a fast workout at Del Mar last week. His other entry in here is a Reddam horse, #11 The Custodian who is cutting back in distance who came out strong 10 days ago, a bit soon but you never know.

Smith rides unbeaten #6 Smooth Ruler who shortens up a tad today but winning streaks have been dying at Del Mar this meet. The favorite is #7 Motown Men who is rising in class but I have a hard time on risers. A sharp workout last week helps. The favorite has won 6 of 12. #2 Big Casanova if you read up on the last three races you see “weakened” at distances 1 1/8 or more so the cutback for Miller should help along with the drop. I ust wish the price was better.

The final leg is a 5 1/2 maiden claiming, ugh! However we have a firster from the Hess/ Desormeaux team who gave us the last leg win on Sunday, #11 Ballplayer. From 30 races the favorite wins 27% and horse over 5-1 win 43% of the time. #1 Papa Frank from the Miller barn has two 3rd place finishes and he wins 23% maiden claiming. #12 Players Charm has five seconds from 9 lifetime starts, 2 in a row before hitting the shelf in June.

Today’s Late Pick 4 will cost $40.50 with horses listed in preference

5,6,8

7,5,6

6,7,2

11,1,12

The Pick 5 has become almost impossible at Del Mar unless your bankroll is giant. I have my selections for the 1st 4 races but my eye is on exotics.

In the first race #6 Microbust comes out at a price for a trainer and jockey who each scored their only wins together at a big price. First time turf and route the only positive is a sharp workout. Any other track I wouldn’t look twice at this horse but with bombs galore at Del Mar anything is possible!

In race #3 #3 Bistraya comes out for a trainer who is 3 of 7 sprint to route and is one who hits with bombs. The Desormeaux brothers send out #11 at 20-1 off a sharp workout and Keith is 27% first off the claim. On the AE but consider if there’s a scratch.

In race #4 the #7 Warren’s Nicholos won last out at a big price for this tandem and raises in class.

Races 1-5 selections

7,6

3,1

2,3

8,9,7

5,6,8

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.