Mike Somich’s Del Mar Picks:
With weather all over the country, let’s turn to good old Del Mar for those clear, sunny skies and firm turf. The nine-race card includes a solid Grade 3 stakes and some fun turf sprints. Here are today’s Del Mar picks.
$20k State Bred Allowance, Race #7, Del Mar
Let’s start with an interesting Turf sprint that fielded a full field of ten. #5 Double Jab crossed the wire first last time and was clearly the best horse at this level, but got disqualified for interference, which was justified. His loss is our gain here. He is capable at this level and has a speed edge today, giving him a solid chance to go gate-to-wire again today.
#3 Devil Be Me will be running first off the claim for trainer Steve Knapp. He has the figures to win this race, but all of those were achieved on the dirt, not turf. He has tried turf one, going one mile, and was okay while fading in the lane. The distance today should be better for him. It is just a matter if he can handle the new surface.
#7 Supernal is coming off a tough trip both early and late while running eighth. The issue is that is was Supernal’s fourth straight sub-par trip. He’s simply a horse that runs himself into trouble. That being said, that talent is there to win this. He’s been competitive despite the trips in three of the last four.
#9 Capital Outlay is going to try to get right to the lead, facing winners for the second time. He was able to make all in the maiden-breaking score, and that is his best chance to win again today. If he is faster than Double Jab early, the 12-1 price looks awfully interesting.
Del Mar Picks: 5-3-7-9
Bets – $50 Win #5
Native Diver Stakes, Race #9, Del Mar
The lone stakes race of the day does not boast the largest field, but sure offers an interesting handicap. Your favorite will be the #2 Ultra Power, one of two for Bob Baffert, who will look to get revenge on the #5 Tarantino who beat him going gate to wire last time out. Ultra Power regressed slightly in that race after a monster effort off the bench. I expect him to bounce back today and he has the benefit of his stablemate here as well.
#1 Mirahmadi is that stablemate who will be gunning it right from the gate and should get the lead into the first turn. He was a very, very hyped horse at two last year, but never could put it together. In his last race, his maiden-breaking win, you could see it all come together. The key, that was at two turns. The added distance was a benefit for him. He is back at two turns today and should control the pace. He is very live at 6-1.
#3 Skinner ran second in this race last year as the even-money favorite, and he’s back in his second race of the layoff today. He will benefit from a pace duel if it materializes and has every right to be much better than his last.
#6 Mixto is the most accomplished horse in the field, and it won a Grade 1 victory in the Pacific Classic. He is capable of winning again today, but the price is too short, 5/2, for me to jump aboard today.
Del Mar Picks: 1-2-3-6
Bets: $50 Win #1
Spot Plays:
Del Mar, Race #5 – $50 Win #8
Del Mar, Race #9 – $50 Win #1
