Check out my Sunday (8-23-26) Race 7 analysis below.
Scratches (race 7): #3 – Secured Freedom
Updated Tickets After Scratches:
DMR 7 (G2 Del Mar Derby, 9T) – Post Time 8:18 PM ET
Primary – #8 MELISMATIC, #1 Proletariat
Secondary – #7 Jordi Bear, #4 Tribalism
Horse Comments:
#8 Melismatic (6-1) has a great pattern. He improved his numbers in all three starts in this country. He rallied for the show at 6T in March, and he stretched out and graduated at 8T May 2. His local 8T win on July 19 was impressive. He stalked and wore down #4 Tribalism (5-1) by a half-length and acts as though he will enjoy this longer distance. Kazushi Kimura rides him well and I like his tactical speed.
#1 Proletariat (9-5) ran well in all six starts. He beat next-out winner Arkadelphia in a local 5T MSW affair last summer, and he chased the pace and completed the trifecta in back-to-back flat mile turf stakes in September (G3 Del Mar Juvenile Turf) and October (G3 Zuma Beach). He returned from a layoff of 7+ months and chased the pace and beat Jordi Bear by a length at 6T May 15 (first time gelding). He stretched back out, got loose early, and kept on going in the local Oceanside at 8T July 17, and show finisher Mr. A. P. was a next-out winner. He was 6-1 last time and won’t be anywhere near that price on Sunday. He can win again if he shakes loose early, but he might have a hard time duplicating his last if he does not get a comfortable front running trip.
#7 Jordi Bear (8-1) captured one of five starts at 7T in Ireland last year, and he shipped to California and stalked the pace and was clearly second best at 6T May 15 (Proletariat 1st). That May turf sprint sure seemed like a prep for a longer race. Unfortunately for him, everything went wrong in the Oceanside at 8T on July 17. He broke from post 10, had a troubled trip, and ended up 6th of 11. Antonio Fresu rides back and he wins races with Phil D’Amato, and he might go better with clear sailing.
Wagers:
#8 to win
Exacta box 1-8
Trifecta 1-8/1-4-7-8/1-4-7-8
August 2026 Bettor Bet$ Free Pick Winners
Aug. 1 – On the Whim ($6.80)
Aug. 3 – Lost and Found ($3.00)
Aug. 7 – Long Mayshe Reign ($3.80)
Aug. 9 – Holmby/Ruiva Exacta ($6.60)
Aug. 15 – Vronti ($5.00), Trifecta ($235.20)
Aug. 16 – Goodies ($3.60)
Aug. 19 – Discotheque ($8.24)
Aug. 20 – Green Zone/Suntory Time Quinella ($15.20), Trifecta ($137.00)
Aug. 22 – Tam Tam ($7.40), Trifecta ($875.20)
*All winning wagers based on $2 payoffs unless noted otherwise.
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