DelMar Selections 8-30-17 by @Gio_Ponti24

Del Mar Summer Meet
Wednesday, August 30, 2017

We are winding down to the very end of the Summer Meet. This is the final weekend of the meet and it looks as if a three way battle to the wire is unfolding atop the jockey standings as Flavian Prat holds a slim 2 victory lead over Rafael Bejerano and Evan Roman who each have 26 victories. As in any good race we have a pace setter (Prat), the stalkers (Bejerano and Roman), and a late closer that will try and mow them all down. In this race that closer is Kent Desormeaux, who appears to be mounting a charge off the far turn to position himself to kick it into high gear turning for home as he has 21 wins to his name. Things are going to get very interesting for these riders heading into the last weekend of the meet. The trainer standings are also very interesting heading into this weekend as Phil D’Amato is on top with 15 wins while Baltas and O’Neill have 13 apiece. Closely behind are Miller and Glatt with 12 victories and only 3 away from the lead. It would be very wise to take a very good look at the horses these guys are involved in as they will be live going towards the wire.
Today’s card has 8 races with Generous Portion Stakes being the featured event today. After a few defections from the race the field is left with 7 runners and potential good value in the race where everyone seems equally matched. Let’s try and get the weekend started off on the right note with a good Wednesday afternoon.
Race 1:
#4 Dialed to Go and #3 Hay Baby Girl: This race is a grab bag. It’s a complete toss up so I am going to take a stab with a couple of longshots. The first runner is a Doug O’Neill trainee that cost a cool $100K and comes in with five consecutive 5F. The workouts are not flashy but have been consistent and sure to build a good foundation for her first run under an underrated Ocampo. The other choice is #3 Hay Baby Girl for Baltas. This is the second starter for Baltas and the better priced runner of the two. The same pattern of training for this runner as the # 4 horse as she too had multiple 5F spins before her easy 4F run on the 26th. Again, nothing flashy in the mornings but a solid foundation nonetheless. This race is carded for 5 ½ furlongs and if some of the other runners heat it up on the front end and fold turning for home, perhaps one of these two fillies can pick up the pieces and have enough stamina for the stretch run.
Race 2:
#1 Shehastheritestuff: I am definitely hoping she does have the right stuff. This is her third start of her current form cycle which usually means the best to come. She beat a field of OC 62K in her first start of the break and then rightfully bounced in the Solano Beach. Gallagher drops her down to a more reasonable spot and gets the services of Van Dyke, a rider who has had good success on this gal. If this runner fails to fire then #3 Do the Dance has a good opportunity to make her presence felt.
#3 Do the Dance: This gal has been trending in the wrong direction but there are some excuses to be made. Last time out she faced much tougher and the start prior to that her rider lost the whip. She comes into this race with the same rider in a more suitable spot and on a track which she fancy’s. Perhaps a form reversal is in the cards.
Race 4:
#2 Anchor Baby: Lightly raced filly gets a good test here to see if she has the right stuff to move forward off of her maiden breaker. If her win last time out is any indication of her abilities, she fought through the early stages and drew off willingly. Martin stays on for Bob Baffert and will likely look to steal it on the front end. It’s a tough race but we should be able to get all of the 4-1 on the morning line to find out if this runner can deliver the goods.
Race 6: Generous Portion
#7 Spiced Perfection: She has been burning some money in her first few starts but was finally able to get her diploma in her last start. It was a hard fought win but it showed that she has heart. She gets a cozy outside slot to monitor the speed and make one run turning for home. Like to see that Talamo rides back and at a square price I am going to take a stab with her and hope she can duplicate her effort last time out.
#6: Family Girl: Going back to my vision of Kent coming from the back on the far turn to take a run at the jockeys atop the leaderboard, I like his chances in this race. This gal showed a lot of promise breaking her maiden by over 7 lengths at Los Alamitos. She came here and faltered on the far turn and was defeated by the #2 horse who also retains bug boy Roman. The pace should set up better for this gal in this race though as the shipper down on the rail should keep #2 busy during the early stages of the race and perhaps soften her up to have one of my selections swallow the field down the stretch.

The card today appears to be difficult with wide open events, but these type of days is usually when good prices pop up. Keep an eye on the tote and more importantly on those jocks and trainers I mentioned as they will be looking to close the gap on the leaders or open up a wider margin to seal the victory! Best of luck!