Del Mar Recap for Thursday (8-29-24)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Four front running winners on a speed favoring dirt oval (6f, 8f, 8f, 8f). On the turf course, a 24-1 closing first timer graduated in the 5f opener, a 9-2 stalker won at 5f, a front running favorite romped at 8.5f, and another front running favorite tallied at 1 1/6 miles (rail at 30 feet).
Juan Hernandez guided home the last three route winners on the card (2 dirt). Jeff Mullins saddled two winners.
August 29 Claims: Race 5 – Battle Call ($30k, Sandino Hernandez Jr), Incredible Shot ($30k, Craig Dollase).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $88,561 tickets with six winners paid $4,505.80. Tickets with five winners paid $51.30.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Thursday (8-29-24)
DMR 3 TERRY’S BOY ($11.80), Exacta ($35.00)
Double (races 2-3, $39.80)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Friday (8-30-24)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners on dirt (8f, 6f). On the turf course, a 1-2 favorite went last-to-first in the flat mile opener, a 5-2 stalker graduated at 8f, a midpack favorite graduated at 8f, and 5-2 closer tallied at 5f (rail at 30 feet).
Antonio Fresu (turf routes) and Juan Hernandez both booted home a pair.
August 31 Claims: Race 8 – Class Clown ($20k, Samuel Calvario).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $138,087 tickets with six winners paid $4,437.40. Tickets with five winners paid $40.70.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Friday (8-30-24)
DMR 1 CAMERON SLOUGH ($3.00)
DMR 2 EPIONE ($4.60), Quinella ($8.80)
Double (races 1-2, $9.00)
Double (races 2-3, $23.80)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $29.80)
DMR 5 Cali Cat/Uncle Evco Quinella ($18.80), Trifecta ($64.80)
DMR 6 SEISMIC BEAUTY ($2.40), Trifecta ($53.20)
Double (races 5-6, $5.40)
DMR 7 RHYTHEM ON STAGE ($7.80), Exacta ($23.40)
Double (races 6-7, $11.20)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $29.40)
Double (races 7-8, $83.20)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $126.60)
50 cent Late Pick 4 (races 5-8, $80.10)
SAR 6 WEST HOLLYWOOD ($4.70)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Saturday (8-31-24)
Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. On the turf course, a 5-1 closer graduated at one mile, stalking favorite Gold Phoenix won the Del Mar Handicap (G2) at 1 3/8 miles, a 2-1 stalker scored at 1 1/6 miles, closing favorite Motorious won the Green Flash Handicap (G3) at 5f, and 5-1 front runner Conclude held on by a head in the Del Mar Mile (G2) at one mile.
Juan Hernandez and Bob Baffert teamed up for three dirt winners. Kyle Frey booted home two graded stakes winners including Mixto in the Pacific Classic. Phil D’Amato saddled three graded stakes winners on turf.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 8-31-24
Grade 3 Torrey Pines (3yo fillies, one mile dirt)
Fractions: 21.70, 45.31, 1:10.67, 1:23.11, 1:36.15
Internal Fractions: 23.61, 25.36, 12:44, 13.04
Order of Finish: Hope Road, Nothing Like You, Grand Slam Smile, Desert Rhapsody, Back On Track, Soho
Scratches: Omaha Girl (trainer), Simply Enchanting (trainer)
Recap: The pace was fast as expected. Soho opened up early and strong favorite Hope Road sat in second, took over after six panels, and rolled hime by 5 lengths. Juan Hernandez rode the winner for Bob Baffert and she paid $3.00. Nothing Like You, also trained by Baffert, rallied from off the pace and tried to go with the winner, but she could not keep pace in the lane and ended up 6 lengths in front of clear show finisher Grand Slam Smile. No word on Hope Road’s next start but she will likely be a handful wherever she turns up.
Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap (1 3/8 miles turf)
Fractions: 25.77, 51.13, 1:16.44, 1:41.44, 2:05.46, 2:17.05
Internal Fractions: 25.36, 25.31, 25.00, 24.02, 11:59
Order of Finish: Gold Phoenix, Dicey Mo Chara, Balnikov, Rockemperor, Master Piece, El Encinal
Scratches: Balladeer (trainer), There Goes Harvard (re-entered)
Recap: The pace was slow to develop and they went faster as the race wore on. Dicey Mo Chara almost stole this one but post time favorite Gold Phoenix was a bit too much late. Kyle Frey rode the latter and he caught the early runner and got up by a neck to capture this race for the third straight year. Phil D’Amato saddled the winner and he paid $6.80. Balnikov had the race flow working against him and he rallied from last and missed the whole ball of wax by a neck and a head. The latter is the horse I want out of this race. Give him a bit more pace to chase and he can win his next start.
Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap (5 furlongs turf)
Fractions: 21.77, 44.38, 56.17
Internal Fractions: 22.61, 11.76
Order of Finish: Motorious, Johnny Podres, No Nay Hudson, Daniel’s Magic, Fast Buck, Star Racer, Sassy Nature, Turn On the Jets, Unconquerable Keen, Mo Gold
Scratches: Connie Swingle (vet), Noble Reflection (trainer)
Recap: There was plenty of pace in the paper race and this is exactly how in played out in real time. Sassy Nature was humming along early and the pace pressers did not allow her any relief. No Nay Hudson stalked the pace and made the first move, but post time favorite Motorious was moving best of all and rallied to win by 3/4ths of a length over 12-1 late runner Johnny Podres. No Nay Hudson was best of the rest in third. Antonio Fresu rode the winner for Phil D’Amato and he paid $6.60 to win.
Grade 1 Pacific Classic (1 1/4 miles dirt)
Fractions: 23.42, 46.95, 1:11.62, 1:36.29, 2:02.10
Internal Fractions: 23.53, 24.67, 24.67, 25.81
Order of Finish: Mixto, Full Serrano, Reincarnate, Dr. Venkman, There Goes Harvard, None Above the Law, Katonah, Il Miracolo
Scratches: Adare Manor (trainer)
Recap: Post time favorite Adare Manor was forced to scratch after tying up two days before the race. Full Serrano made the running as expected under Reylu Gutierrez and he almost went all the way. The pace was controlled and there was no closing going on in this race. Mixto chased from second, lost a bit of ground when Full Serrano tried to kick away in the stretch, but Doug O’Neill’s Good Magic colt kept on coming and gradually got there and won by a half-length. Full Serrano ran a winning race but had to settle for the place, and Reincarnate stalked the pace and was a clear third. Beaten favorite Dr. Venkman was best of the rest in fourth. The mile and a quarter distance played against the chalk. Kyle Frey rode the winner and he paid $46.40. Mixto was 1-for-13 heading into this contest and this was a win and you’re in for the BC Classic.
Grade 2 Del Mar Mile (8 furlongs turf)
Fractions: 23.45, 47.14, 1:10.72, 1:22.33, 1:34.05
Internal Fractions: 23.69, 23.58, 11:61, 11.72
Order of Finish: Conclude, Almendares, Astronomer, Du Jour, Lammas, First Peace, Exaulted, Irideo, Flashiest, Halfway Line
Scratches: None
Recap: Conclude ($12.20) stole this one under Hector Berrios. He made the lead and set comfortable fractions. He maintained a half-length lead through six panels, kicked clear by a length and a half in the stretch, and held off 7-1 closer Almendares to score by a head. Astronomer stalked the pace and finished third, and Du Jour was an even fourth. Beaten favorite First Peace stalked wide from an outer post and retreated to 6th. Phil D’Amato was the winning trainer.
August 31 Claims: Race 2 – Jonas’ Dream ($16k, James E. Crotts), Mr. Big Heart ($16k, Hector Palma). Race 8 – Fast Draw Munnings ($40k, John Sadler), Passarando ($40k, Robert Hess Jr).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $444,048 and tickets with six winners paid $18,074.00. Tickets with five winners paid $101.70.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Saturday (8-31-24)
DMR 1 Non Compliant/Margarita Girl Exacta ($12.20), Trifecta ($22.80)
DMR 4 HOPE ROAD ($3.00), Exacta ($8.20)
Double (races 3-4, $21.60)
Double (races 4-5, $11.60)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $86.80)
DMR 6 I’M A BAD BOY ($3.40)
Double (races 5-6, $17.40)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $28.20)
DMR 7 PURE MADNESS ($6.80), Exacta ($326.00)
Double (races 6-7, $12.00)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $79.20)
DMR 8 ULTRA POWER ($8.00), Trifecta ($358.80)
Double (races 7-8, $26.80)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $60.00)
DMR 9 MOTORIOUS (DMR Best Bet, $6.60)
Double (races 8-9, $30.80)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $109.80)
DMR 11 CONCLUDE (DMR Price Play, $12.20)
Pick 6 (races 6-11) – 5 of 6 – $101.70)
KD 8 BELLUM JUSTUM ($6.44)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Sunday (9-1-24)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at one mile on dirt. On the turf course, a 6-1 closer was placed first through disqualification at 1 3/8 miles, an 8-1 closer scored at 5f, a closing favorite tallied at 8.5f, stalking favorite Formidable Man won the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby at 9f, and a last-to-first closer captured the 8.5f finale at 5-1 odds.
Hat trick for Umberto Rispoli (2 maiden dirt). Armando Ayuso booted home two turf winners. Michael McCarthy saddled two winners and Rispoli rode both.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 9-2-24
Shared Belief (one mile dirt): Muth made his much anticipated return in this listed stakes race and he delivered as expected. Pony Express was intent on the lead and Muth chased from second. Bob Baffert’s strong favorite put away Pony Express and got a fresh challenge from his stablemate Imagination. He put that one away as well and won by two lengths under Juan Hernandez. Indispensable, a 16-1 longshot ridden by Hector Berrios, came running in the stretch and secured the runner-up spot by a length and a quarter over Imagination. The latter ran a quality race and was 6 lengths clear of late runner Mc Vay. The final time was 1:35.64 and Muth paid $2.40 to win. This was a useful return race and this should set him up nicely for upcoming graded races.
Grade 2 Del Mar Derby (1 1/8 miles turf): Sketchy, the longest shot on the board, carved out the fractions until the stretch. Formidable Man ($4.40) stalked the pace under Umberto Rispoli, and he got the jump on his main rival Stay Hot and held on by a half-length. The latter was my top choice and he was getting to the favorite in the late stages. Atitlan was third and was followed by Gold Foot, Sketchy, and Guy Named Joe. The final time was 1:49.87 and Michael McCarthy was the winning trainer.
September 1 Claims: Race 6 – Law Abiding ($25k, Steve Miyadi).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $222,422 and tickets with six winners paid $765.00. Tickets with five winners paid $11.70.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Sunday (9-1-24)
DMR 2 EXPLAIN THIS AUDIT (DMR Price Play, $14.00)
Double (races 1-2, $90.60)
Double (races 2-3, $45.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $286.60)
DMR 5 SALTWATER COWBOY ($8.80)
Double (races 5-6, $30.00)
DMR 7 MUTH ($2.40)
Double (races 6-7, $7.40)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $46.60)
DMR 8 Formidable Man/Stay Hot Exacta ($8.80), Trifecta ($32.00)
Double (races 7-8, $5.80)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $17.00)
Pick 3 (races 7-9, $21.20)
50 cent Late Pick 5 (races 6-10, $156.90)
Pick 6 (races 5-10) – 5 out of 6 – $11.70
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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Del Mar Recap for Monday (9-2-24)
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners on dirt (8f, 6.5f). On the turf course, a 7-2 front runner scored at 5f, a last-to-first closing favorite struck at one mile, and a 10-1 front runner tallied at one mile.
Four sprint wins for Antonio Fresu (3 dirt wins). Doug O’Neill saddled three dirt winners (2 MSW dirt sprints). George Papaprodromou saddled two winners.
Del Mar Stakes Recaps for 9-2-24
Tranquility Lake (one mile dirt): Yuki (CHI) was the longest shot at 25-1 and she had a short lead halfway through. Show Card ($5.40) chased from second, took over after six panels, and widened from there to romp by 10 lengths. Super Shine (ARG) had a bad start and moved up under restraint to chase the pace, and kept plugging away in the lane to finish a clear second. Yuki was best of the rest in third. Ascendancy and Liberal Lady also ran. The final time was 1;37.88 and Juan Hernandez rode the winner for Bob Baffert.
Generous Portion (CA-bred, 6f): Thirsty in Vegas and Cayucos dueled on the lead and Hot Girl Walk stalked those two, forged to the lead at the half-mile point, and opened up in the stretch. My top choice In the Air Tonight was closing in the lane and tried to make a race of it, but Hot Girl Walk ($13) was too far in front and she scored by a length and a quarter. In the Air Tonight was making inroads late but ran out of real estate, and she was 14 lengths in front of show finisher Cayucos. Thirsty Mama, Thirsty in Vegas, and Nostri Vires also ran. The final time was 1:11.28 and Antonio Fresu rode the winner for Carla Gaines.
September 2 Claims: Race 7 – Big Spin ($8k, Steve Sherman), Greatheart ($8k, J. Kent Sweezey), Supermazel ($8k, Steve Sherman), Upstart Yankee ($8k, Bill McLean). Race 11 – Tomorrownevercomes ($20k, Jorge Periban).
The $1 Pick 6 pool was $228,034 and tickets with six winners paid $15,661.10. Tickets with five winners paid $96.70.
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Monday (9-2-24)
DMR 1 ONE MAGIC PHILLY ($4.60), Trifecta ($31.20)
DMR 2 PAVEL IS APPEALING ($6.60), Trifecta ($80.00)
Double (races 1-2, $24.00)
DMR 3 SHOW CARD ($5.40), Exacta ($10.60)
Double (races 2-3, $20.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $65.60)
DMR 7 UPSTART YANKEE ($8.20)
Double (races 6-7, $32.00)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $232.00)
DMR 8 RAW ABILITY ($6.80)
Double (races 7-8, $17.60)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $196.60)
Double (races 7-8, $30.40)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $156.60)
SAR 10 CHANCER MCPATRICK ($10.80), Exacta ($26.40)
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
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