DelMar Selections 8-31-17 by @Gio_Ponti24

Del Mar Summer Meet
Thursday, August 31, 2017

It was a mixed bag of results yesterday as not a single jock won multiple races. Yesterday’s final race was won by a horse that paid $52.60 and the featured event was won by our 7-1 selection. Needless to say, the pick-6 was not hit yesterday creating a little excitement for today’s 8 race card. The jockey standings got a little tighter as Evan won the opener on Wednesday’s card bringing him one win closer to Flavian Prat who has been absent from the races. This absence should create enough of an opportunity for both Roman and Bejerano to close the gap and perhaps overtake the leader.
Let’s take a look at today’s races and find some winners on this quiet Thursday afternoon.
Race 1:
#6 Uh Oh Baby: This race is quite interesting as more than half the field is comprised of first time starters. Of the entire field this runner seems to have the most zip as the workouts appear to be fast ones. This colt gets Maldonado to steer him for his first spin and there isn’t a better gate rider than him. If he can shake clear from the outside post and not get involved in a pace battle up front Maldonado can slow down the tempo and have enough to hold of any late closers in the field.
#2 Zippy Groom: Hess has two runners in this race and neither of them has his go to rider on board in Desormeaux which is interesting. Of the two runners he has entered this is the first time starter and has slow workouts to boot, but they bring him in for a higher tag than he cost and he appears to have a solid foundation underneath him to warrant a look. The sire of this gelding is a good 16% with his firsters so there could be some hope in this guy’s corner. We are shopping for a price to start the day!
Race 2:
#4 Forbidden Command: I suspect the pace will be a brisk one for this event as the #5 and #1 both possess good early speed. The favorite will most likely be Private Terrace who is dropping down but doesn’t appear to like this track too much as she has only finished second twice in 6 attempts on the surface. If both those runners hook up, then I will expect Pena to guide this mare to a clear path and mow them down to make amends for her loss as the favorite in the last attempt and first start on this track. In that race Veronica Bay #2 was able to beat this runner but seldom runs two consecutive strong races. Keep in mind that the two speed horses are dropping down to this level so I don’t expect both of them to completely fold, so I will be using them underneath, but if there is any chink in the armor this gal may be able to spring a small upset.
Race 3:
#5 Mag the Mighty: If this filly can run at all this will be the time to show it. She has had trouble in both her starts and has been unable to recover after troubled starts. She gets Tyler Baze in the irons for this spin which could mean she will be on the lead or close to the pace. She drops in class and gets a new rider which could mean a victory is in the horizon.
#1 Paddy Jean: 2nd start of her current form cycle so improvement is expected for this attempt. She gets the services of Talamo and has a good record over the track. She is going to be a short price, but has been the only runner to show any type of interest in running so if she is able to get into a comfortable stride she may be able to spurt away under left handed encouragement.
Race 5:
#5 Tammy’s Window: This filly makes her third start off of the layoff which is typically a runners best effort. She has come up short in her last two attempts while attempting to come back from behind, but with Maldonado on board could be closer to the pace this time around. If she is able to sit 2-3 lengths behind the pace she may be able to get first jump on the late closers and have enough to hold on to get the win.
Race 6:
#6 Streak of Luck: There appears to be a lot of speed signed up for this race and if it turns out to be the case this filly could spring a surprise in this race and help the current pick-6 carryover to continue. She faced ShowItNMoIt and Spiced Perfection in her first two attempts (spiced perfection won yesterdays featured and ShowItNMoIt finished 3rd) and was unable to close the gap on those two runners going 5F. This time around she gets an added furlong and more speed to set up a closing bid. Van Dyke stays on for Matthew Chew as a sign of confidence in her chances. This race is wide open so I’ll take a shot with a price.
Race 7:
#3 Belvoir Bay: This filly gets a new rider for this attempt which could mean a slight change in style. Kent is not known to really pump a horse out of the gate, and with so much speed signed up in this race, perhaps he will employ stalking tactics and make one run turning for home and try and hold off the late cavalry. She will look to make amends for two consecutive losses at a short price. We should get a better price today as well.