Mike Somich’s Del Mar Picks:
It’s a great racing Saturday with stakes at Churchill Downs, but all eyes will be on Del Mar with three Graded stakes all being run over the turf course.
Hollywood Derby, Race #9, Del Mar
The Grade 1 Hollywood Derby is always a competitive race with a full field, and this year’s rendition does not disappoint. You have multiple East Coast horses who will head in to take on a group from the West that has been running against each other all season. Let’s go to #5 King of Gosford as the top selection here in a wide-open race. He has been getting better in each start and now jumps back into graded stakes company after being competitive at this level. His Let It Ride win was a huge effort over this course and distance. The last time he was in a graded stakes company, he was facing older horses. Today, it’s all three-year-olds.
#7 Donegal Momentum is one of those East Coast invaders who has been two for two since switching over to the turf. He has won on the lead and from off the pace, which should bode well for today. He does not need the lead but will be happy to inherit the position if no one else sends.
#4 Carson’s Run is the classist horse in the field, including multiple Grade 1 victories. He is a dead closer, so he will need to get the right trip to win, but he is proven at the level and distance. Carson’s Run also comes in from the East Coast; however, he did run in California for the Breeders’ Cup last year. He did not fair well that day, however, you can give him a pass since it was the best in the world.
#2 Rothchild is an awfully interesting price in this spot. He lost by a nose to Carson’s Run two back and was 5/2 last time out. He ran poorly that day, so now he’s 15-1. That odds adjustment for a horse that has shown the talent to compete at this level is just too much.
Del Mar Picks: 5-7-4-2
Bets: $50 Win #5
Seabiscuit Handicap, Race #7, Del Mar
#3 Seal Team ended his two-year-old season with a bang, winning the Twilight Derby on Breeders’ Cup day, but was not seen until the Lure almost a year later. He disappointed that day as the favorite, but I am willing to draw a line through that one, considering the layoff and competition. His trainer, Richard Mandella, is known for having horses ready second time off the layoff winning at a 30% clip so expect a much better effort today.
#2 Sumter is the other Mendella entry here and offers a better price at 8-1. He has tried this level multiple times without being able to win, but he has run well in those starts. Sumter enters this race off a win and Del Mar has seen his best efforts so it is not out of the possibility today.
#9 Masteroffoxhounds returns to the West Coast after venturing back from Kentucky. He has tactical speed but does not need the lead, which should help today with other pace signed on. He is capable to competing at this level and is priced right today at 15-1.
#7 Redistricting ships in for the ultra-dangerous Chad Brown after just missing last time out in a very fast race at Aqueduct. He is lightly raced and will be running 2nd off the layoff which both points to logical improvement in this spot.
Del Mar Picks: 3-2-9-7
Bets: $50 Win #3
Spot Plays:
Del Mar, Race #8 – $50 Win #4
Del Mar, Race #5 – $50 Win #8
