DelMar Selections 7-28-17 by @Gio_Ponti24

Del Mar Summer Meet 2017
Friday, July 28, 2017

To say that yesterday was brutal would be an understatement. We started off strong with a solid second and third place selection in the first, but the other selections floundered. It happens though! That’s horse racing. Lady luck was not with us, but there is still a pick 6 carryover which is something to look forward to, and not to mention this weekend is full of stakes races. I will try to create some sort of bankroll today to try and take into tomorrow’s card so that we can try our luck with the big boys and gals.
Aside from a tough wagering day, the Del Mar Card also allowed us to see David Flores before he officially hangs up his boots and calls it a career. He has been a solid rider for many years and had been one of the top riders in the southern California circuit before he took his tack to the Fairgrounds, but alas he came back to SoCal to close the circle and allow us to bid him farewell. Fortunately, we will be able to see him as a trainer when he takes on that venture soon after his retirement. For now, let’s enjoy him take his final mounts and perhaps win a few races to close out his career.
The Del Mar leaderboard saw more of the same as Evan Roman added another victory to his score and gaining a 2-win lead on both Prat and Bejerano. As I mentioned earlier during the week I have a feeling both those riders will have better mounts this weekend and will catch him and perhaps pass him before the beginning of next week. Before we get to the weekends races lets dive in and see if we can get some horses home on today’s 8 race card.

Race 1:
#4 Fly as a Falcon: Peter Miller saddles two in the opener and I believe the second runner will take more action than this filly as she is ridden by Prat. I will stick with the experienced runner here with David Flores. This runner was expected to do big things at first asking as she was made the overwhelming favorite but unfortunately reared at the start and lost all chance. Fortunately, Roman gathered her, and conserved her for her next start. Training after that run have not been bad and has shown that she feels good and is ready to go. With a clean start and a trouble-free trip, she could make some noise down the lane. (Exotics Play)

Race 3:
#8: Hank the Tank: At this 5F distance on the grass there is no one I trust more to give a horse a solid ride than Talamo. This runner has run some decent races, and although he has not raced on grass yet he has the most upside as he has only started 3 times. Beyers are going in the right direction and if there is a pace meltdown we may be watching for that patented left handed whip from Talamo heading for home. (Longshot Play)

Race 5:
#8: Kings River King: In a race where the favorite is making his second start after a 2 year layoff and his main rival seems to hang in the lane I will take a colt that appear to be figuring things out and making a return to a route of ground. Tyler sees fit to stick around after just missing by ¾ of a length while finishing 3rd but was heavily backed in that race, and was actually a shorter price than the predicted favorite (#1). If this colt can navigate a clean trip and perhaps be guided towards the inside of the track he may surprise many. (Value Play)

Race 7:
#2: Oregon: I have been following this colt since he began his career and he put in good efforts down the tricky Santa Anita downhill course. When given the opportunity to run a mile he finished a fast closing 2nd. The following start he went further out to 1 1/8 miles and couldn’t produce the same turn of foot. I think that was too far for him. Stevens sticks around with this runner after he rode him to a 4 length victory in his return to a mile in his last start. Although he is stretching out again further than the mile I want to think that Gary will make the difference with this runner and help him relax and preserve his energy for the stretch run. At 4-1 I will make this runner my best bet of the day as he is lightly raced and has a lot of upside to him. (Best Bet)