Del Mar Recap for Thursday (11-25-21)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two dueling front running sprint winners on dirt (7f, 6.5f). On the turf course, a stalker won at 8.5f, a midpack closer scored at 8.5f, front runner Neige Blanche (FR) stole the G3 Red Carpet at 11f, and a closer captured the 11f finale (rail at 12 feet).
Riding doubles for Kent Desormeaux (2 turf route wins) and Juan Hernandez.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 11-25-21
My overlaid top choice Neige Blanche ($24.80) controlled the pace in the Grade 3 Red Carpet Handicap at 11T, and she turned away Nicest (IRE) and held off the late bid of strong favorite Luck to win by a head. This was a game effort under Juan Hernandez and she is always tough to beat in these long distance turf stakes.The final time was 2:15.45.
Nov. 25 Claims: Race 1 – Hennys Crazy Train ($40k, Doug O’Neill). Race 3 – Herd Immunity ($50k, Richard Baltas), Sea To Success ($50k, Dan Azcarate). Race 7 – Katonah ($50k, Doug O’Neill), King Apollo ($50k, Kristin Mulhall), The Key Is Unity ($50k, Bill Spawr). Race 8 – K P All Systems Go ($40k, Jeff Metz).
The 20 cent Rainbow 6 pool was $180,995, and multiple tickets with six winners paid $4,437.54. The jackpot carryover stands at $460,114.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Thursday (11-25-21)
DMR 2 EDDIE’S NEW DREAM ($4.60), Trifecta ($114.00)
Double (races 1-2, $12.00)
Double (races 2-3, $11.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $57.60)
DMR 4 NORMA JEAN B. (DMR Best Bet #1, $6.40)
Double (races 3-4, $32.40)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $97.20)
DMR 6 NEIGE BLANCHE ($24.80), Exacta ($43.80)
DMR 7 Con On the Run/Katonah/King Apollo Trifecta ($103.00)
Double (races 6-7, $127.20)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $464.60)
FG 8 BREEZE RIDER ($10.40)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Friday (11-26-21)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running sprint winners on dirt (6f, 6.5f). The other two dirt winners pounced from 2nd. On the turf course, a closer won the 8f opener, a front runner scored at 5f, a midpack stalker won at 8f, and a stalker captured the restricted Let It Ride Stakes at 8f (rail at 30 feet).
Doug O’Neill saddled two winners.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 11-26-21
In the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at a mile and a half on turf, Say the Word ($13.00) went last-to-first while finishing full of run under Kent D. Acclimate tried to go all the way but could not hold off the late running winner, and he saved the place by a neck over my top choice Friar’s Road. The latter got floated wide in the lane and kept on plugging away to earn the show under Rispoli. Award Winner, beaten favorite Rockemperor (IRE), Cupid’s Claws, and Astronaut also ran. The final time was 2:27.62.
Nov. 26 Claims: Race 1 – Media Blitz ($100k, Michael Maker), Whooping Jay ($100k, George Papaprodromou). Race 4 – Mongolian Wind ($32k, Mark Glatt), Synthesis ($32k, Jacqui Navarre). Race 6 – Inch ($16k, Jeff Mullins). Race 8 – Admirably ($20k, George Papaprodromou), El Tigre Terrible ($20k, Mark Glatt).
Nov. 26 Claims: Race 1 – Media Blitz ($100k, Michael Maker), Whooping Jay ($100k, George Papaprodromou). Race 4 – Mongolian Wind ($32k, Mark Glatt), Synthesis ($32k, Jacqui Navarre). Race 6 – Inch ($16k, Jeff Mullins). Race 8 – Admirably ($20k, George Papaprodromou), El Tigre Terrible ($20k, Mark Glatt).
The 20 cent Rainbow 6 pool was $222,194, and multiple tickets with six winners paid $2,292.02. The jackpot carryover stands at $510,987.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Friday (11-26-21)
DMR 1 RED STORM RISEN ($4.80), Exacta ($19.80)
DMR 2 A PAYCHEQUE SMILE ($5.40)
Double (races 1-2, $22.00)
DMR 3 CHAMPAGNE CAMMIE (DMR Best Bet #1, $6.00), Trifecta ($75.80)
Double (races 2-3, $25.40)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $52.00)
DMR 4 Mongolian Wind/Betito/Synthesis Trifecta ($51.40)
Double (races 3-4, $17.60)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $46.00)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $230.60)
DMR Early Pick 4 (races 2-5, $835.40)
AQU 8 NEVER SURPRISED ($3.40)
CD 11 Maxfield/Happy Saver Exacta ($34.40)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Saturday (11-27-21)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running sprint winners on dirt (7f, 6.5f). On the turf course, closers won the first two flat mile races, an early moving stalker captured the G2 Seabiscuit Handicap at 8.5f, a stalker won the G3 Jimmy Durante at one mile, and a front runner went all the way in the G1 Hollywood Derby at 9f.
No riding or training doubles on Saturday.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 11-27-21
Seabiscuit Handicap (G2): Umberto Rispoli stole the show aboard my best bet top choice Field Pass ($9.00). I have seen this rider make a decisive early move before, and he did it again in this 8.5T affair. He made an outside early move and attacked the leaders, kicked clear, and held off late running chalk Sacred Life (FR) to score by a head. Indian Peak made a menacing move but settled for the show. The final time was 1:41.85.
Jimmy Durante (G3): In this fall mile turf stakes for juvenile fillies, recent maiden winner Tezzaray-GB ($8.20) stalked the pace and edged Awake At Midnyte to score by a nose. Irad Ortiz Jr. rode the winner for Peter Miller and the final time was 1:37.56. Toeris stalked the pace and held 3rd by a head over late runner Helens Well (IRE).
Hollywood Derby (G1): Kent D smartly stole the candy aboard Beyond Brilliant ($23.80). He slowed things down on the front end, edged clear in the lane, and held off late runner Santin to win by a neck. The latter ran a quality race from post 14 under Rispoli. My value top choice Cathkin Peak (IRE) sat a nice ground saving tactical trip under Prat but was not quite good enough and finished 3rd by a head over beaten favorite Public Sector (GB). Subconscious stalked from post 12 and flattened out in the lane to complete the Super High 5. The final time was 1:48.84.
Nov. 27 Claims: Race 4 – Big Stretch ($16k, Val Brinkerhoff). Race 8 – California Street ($40k, Tim Yakteen).
The 20 cent Rainbow 6 pool was $349,192, and multiple tickets with six winners paid $18,654.68. The jackpot carryover stands at $590,935, and there is a mandatory payout on Sunday.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Saturday (11-27-21)
DMR 5 FIELD PASS (DMR Best Bet #1, $9.00), Exacta ($21.20)
Double (races 4-5, $70.40)
DMR 6 Youteyourhonor/Awesome Taylor Exacta ($21.00)
Double (races 5-6, $46.80)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $269.60)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $182.60)
CD 12 Marissa’s Lady/Matareya Exacta ($27.20)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Sunday (11-28-21)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two dueling front running winners at 6f on dirt. On the turf course, a closer won the 8f opener, a closer captured the Cecil B. DeMille (G3) at one mile, a stalker scored at 8f, a front runner took the Matriarch (G1) at 8f, and a stalker won the meet finale at 9f.
Two more turf route wins for Kent D. Riding double for apprentice Diego Herrera. Training double for Phil D’Amato, and Chad Brown and Jose Ortiz teamed up for two graded turf route wins.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 11-28-21
Cecil B. DeMille (G3): Even money favorite Verbal ($4.00) got the job done. She was patiently handled from post 9 of 10 and rallied in the lane to score by a 1/2 length for Jose Ortiz and Chad Brown. Barsabas completed the exacta at 49-1 and Cabo Spirit stalked, led, and missed 2nd by a nose. My 11-1 value top choice Lottery Pick broke from the outside post and found her best stride late to complete the superfecta. The final time was 1:36.16.
Matriarch (G1): My best bet top choice Regal Glory ($5.20) stole this one for Jose Ortiz and Chad Brown. There was no pace in the paper race and Ortiz knew he was on the best horse and just went on with it from the outside post. She was clear throughout and won by a comfortable 2-1/2 lengths over stalker Zofelle (IRE). Princess Grace rallied for the show as the 3-2 favorite. Viadera (GB), Fast Jet Court (BRZ), and Bodhicitta (GB) also ran. The final time was 1:35.33.
The 20 cent Rainbow 6 pool was $3,975,017, and multiple tickets with six winners paid $10,142.82 (mandatory payout). I ended up with five out of six.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Sunday (11-28-21)
DMR 4 Newgrange/Got Thunder Exacta ($18.20)
DMR 7 REGAL GLORY (DMR Best Bet #2, $5.20), Exacta ($24.80), Trifecta ($51.20)
Double (races 6-7, $27.80)
DMR 8 FOWLER BLUE ($8.40), Exacta ($16.80)
Double (races 7-8, $16.40)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $114.60)
DMR 9 Tony Ann/Charges Dropped Exacta ($23.40)
Double (races 8-9, $35.20)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $81.40)
DMR Late Pick 4 (races 6-9, $489.00)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
Article by Jarrod Horak