DelMar Selections 9-3-17 by @Gio_Ponti24
Del Mar Summer Meet
Sunday, September 03, 2017
We are winding down to the final two days of the meet which means that riding titles and trainer titles are down to final mounts of the meet. Currently Flavian continues to hold a slim advantage over Rafael and Evin Roman in the jockey standings and the trainer standings look even tighter as the difference between the top two is only 1 win between them. In addition to the excitement of how the standings shake up, today is also the final Summer Concert and it features none other than Steve Aoki so it is sure to be a very crowded day at the tracks. Considering we are avid horseplayers and lovers of the sport there is nothing more exciting than the actual races being held today. The races for the card this Sunday afternoon feature the Del Mar Derby (G.II) and the Del Mar Juvenile Turf. Both of these races feature full fields and should be ripe for some value. Del Mar has once again put together a full card of 10 races which should provide great value to be found. Let’s get right to it!
Race 1:
#1 Kafister: The horse for course angle is in full effect with this runner. He has hit the board in all six attempts on this track, but comes back from a long layoff and loses the services of Kent for this attempt. This gelding has shown the ability to come back fresh and fire so the layoff is not much concern, and the fact that he can sit just off the pace and be tactical boasts well for his chances. Drops in class, posted a solid final workout for his first start off the layoff and gets a solid gate rider for this spin on his favorite track- looks like all systems go!
#2 Tough But Nice: I am mentioning this runner just because he appears to be sneaky speed. The last two runs haven’t been much, but there are apparent excuses for those attempts as he tried routing on grass and was also making his first return off a layoff of over 5 months. This is his third start of the current form cycle, and if that bullet workout on 8/26 is any indication he is on his toes to show his very best for this attempt. If he is not respected in this spot and gets loose he may get brave and lead them a long way.
Race 2:
#1 Highly Acclaimed: This is an abbreviated race with a lot of speed which in hindsight doesn’t bode well for this guy but he appears to have the best early speed which could help him flee the rail from the start and open up a comfortable lead. If the last race is any indication, he relished the sod and was able to defeat a classy horse in Irap. Talamo stays on and workouts seem steady. Could sneak through the inside and run them off their feet.
#7 Plate Side: This is another runner with good early speed, but the big advantage this guy has is the outside slot from where he can stalk and lay off the pace and also the route to sprint angle that should have built his stamina for this sprint race. The workouts prior to the route attempt were encouraging as his speed was still present. If he is able to revert back to his first two starts and show good early foot he could be sitting chilly in 3rd or 4th on the far turn and be the beneficiary of a pace collapse if it occurs.
Race 3:
#11: Neighborhood Bully: Major drop class for his fourth attempt should provide him the best opportunity to score a victory for the Yakteen barn. Last race is a complete toss out as it was a routing turf event and he didn’t run a single step. Latest workout shows he hasn’t lost a step and should be able to sit off the pace and overtake the leaders in the stretch.
Race 4:
#2 Next Speaker: At first glance it looks like this runner is jumping up in class (which he is), however he has raced competitively for these same conditions as well as slightly tougher so there is some back class to this horse. Last two races are promising as he has been able to fight through the lane and hold his ground and finish respectable seconds. Retains the services of Van Dyke for his second attempt on this track of the current meet. There doesn’t appear to be a lot of early lick and several other main contenders are coming in off of dull efforts so I will stick with the consistent runner and hopefully he can make amends for his defeat as the chalk last time out at a much better price.
#9: Tasunke Witco: Hess and Desourmeaux team up on this runner. What else is there to say for this outside runner? He ships in from the east coast off a solid 2nd place finish LTO and should be able to stalk the pace from the outside slot. If our top selection folds this guy could pick up the pieces and score as a logical contender.
Race 5: Del Mar Juvinile Turf
#2 Pubilius Syrus: Major jock upgrade to Kent for this stakes attempt. This colt was one of the favorites in his last attempt, which was his first route attempt, and was involved in an early pace battle appeared to fold but came back to finish a close 3rd. He returns to face the runner that beat him, but with a better foundation under him as his last workouts indicate. Kent should be able to sit off the pace with this runner, save all the ground and make one run as they turn for home.
#8 My Boy Jack: This runner has been successful at this trip with 2 solid seconds. He has been left with too much to do in those races and has been beaten by both the 11 and 13 in this race, but we get the same scenario once again, same rider, but more importantly a better price. In a big field, lets hope Nakatani can save ground and avoid traffic trouble to make his patented late kick turning for home.
Race 7:
#10 Ain’t Misbehaving: There appears to be a lot of pace signed on for this race and if that is the case the race sets up perfectly for this runner. He shortens up to a mile which appears to be his preferred distance. If Ocampo can keep him within shouting distance of the field he could make his presence felt in the lane as the front runners start coming back to the field.
Race 8: Del Mar Derby GII
#6 Fashion Business: He has been his own worst enemy as he tends to work himself too much inside the gate and cause himself problems. Talamo was on board his last attempt and finished a head behind #5 as he gobbled up the ground in the final 16th of a mile. Faces some of the same runners for this event but with a clean start could prove to be a handful turning for home.
#10 Big Score: Major class relief as he will not be facing the likes of Oscar Performance in this race. He will, however, have to face Bowies Hero who is 2 for 2 on this surgace and beat him in their match up last fall. Prat sticks around for this attempt and should have him closer to the pace for this attempt. It’s a wide open affair but I am sticking with these two runners to make amends and turn the table on those who have beaten them before.
