Del Mar and Saratoga Picks:
It is always a bittersweet Saturday when we have made it to the end of August. It’s the last weekend of racing at Saratoga and Del Mar is starting to wrap up as well. That being said, we’ve got a great day at both tracks, with 24 races highlighted by the Pacific Classic from Del Mar! Let’s get to today’s Del Mar and Saratoga picks.
The Pacific Classic, Del Mar, Race #10
Del Mar’s feature race of the meeting lost some of the gusto yesterday, with the super mare Adare Manor scratching out and not taking on the boys. It is a bummer for two reasons, it would have been great for the sport for her to run and she was a takeout reducer. She was going to be overbet here against a group that had a good chance of beating her. Let’s start with #3 Dr. Venkman, the least experienced in the field. He has run five races to date, but has improved in every start, including a win in the San Diego last time out, the local prep for this race. He has speed but does not need the lead and projects to work out a great trip in this spot.
#6 Full Serrano is the wild card in this spot. After a successful career in Argentina, not exactly a hot horse racing area for talent, he shipped up to the US and won his debut. This is a huge class test, but he is the speed of the speed here so we will have that advantage. He will be in the lead early. The question will be how long he can stay there.
#1 Il Miracolo dances all the dances and tries hard every time. This will be his 10th straight graded stakes effort. While he has won two of those, both were against weaker fields. He is a classic good enough to hit the board, but probably will not win.
With the scratch of Adare Manor, Bob Baffert’s chance now lay in the hoofs of #4 Reincarnate. He has yet to realize the potential that lead him to the Kentucky Derby one year ago, but has been consistent in 2024. His biggest issue is the presence of Full Serrano, who is faster early. To win today, he will have to do it from a stalking trip.
Del Mar Picks: 3-6-1-4
Best Bets: $25 Exacta 3 / 1,6
The Spinaway Stakes, Saratoga Race #11
My arch nemesis #8 The Queens MG is back. I’ve been on the wrong side of her all season. I’m going to let her try to beat me again. She’s run very well from just off the pace, but the waters get deeper here. Now that we are deeper into the 2-year-old season, we have more horse who have debuted and want to take a shot at Grade 1 glory.
One of those is #11 Quietside who dominated a field here at Saratoga in one of the most impressive debuts of the season. She’s back today, and the outside post should be a benefit. She proved she can stalk and pass horses in her debut win and will have the same opportunity here.
#1 Immersive was not as impressive on debut but is from a very accomplished family. Trainer Brad Cox seems to pop with one of these horses every meet. She also has had early stakes winners in her family and should take a big step forward the second time out.
#7 Pondering ships in for Brenden Walsh after a dominating debut at Ellis Park. She seems to have taken to Saratoga well with a couple of nice workouts in the morning, and her jockey, Machado, ships in with her for this spot today.
Saratoga Picks: 11-1-7-8
Best Bets $50 Win #11
Spot Plays:
Saratoga Race #8 – $50 Win #9
Del Mar Race #7 – $50 Win #5
