Art P
08-18-2005, 10:28 AM
FIRST RACE: We begin this card with a $40,000 event over seven furlongs. Top selection is ROYAL MORO (#7). He is dropped just below his claim tag price, but this is not a problem as Carava got a win against $80,000 runners last time out, securing a good portion of the original investment price of $50,000, so even if they lose him for $40,000 at the claim box today while also getting a win, they're assured of a very nice little investment in a span of only 2 1/2 months. This early pace scenario gives him a huge edge as it's likely he can relax just off a :46 half, and that should allow for enough of a closing kick down the lane with Gomez returning. MALMAISON (#1) fits well here, and he's proven time after time that he can be counted upon for a nice late run. Nakatani fits him well, and this 7/8th's distance is what he wants. Let's move along to the second.
SECOND RACE: Maiden $62,500 clamers going six furlongs. Top selection is FUNKY FRIENDS (#6). He's been working down here at Del Mar since Mid July, and we saw a string of works that were extremely quick for this trainer in Mitchell, and the last couple of works have been on the slower side which simply tells us he's ready and has simply been getting a bit of exercise while awaiting his debut. HAPPY PANTS (#5) is a first timer from the Carava barn, and don't let the seemingly slower drills fool you. We looked back into some of our notebooks and found Gomez and Carava teaming up with a first timer named 'Daddy Grace' back in January 2002, with a worktab almost identical to this one's. Look for a decent closing rush that will have him cutting into the leader's inside the 1/8th pole.
THIRD RACE: This is an allowance race at a mile on the main track. We have a field of six, but let's quickly break this down, GRAY BLACK N WHITE and OVERKILL are moving up in class off mediocre efforts, VIZIERSHIP is coming back off a brief resting period and likely is going to need this outing today, while CHUMMIN just broke his maiden and now finds Nakatani going elsewhere, very important since Corey has first call for Craig Dollase. This leaves us with two runners, and they will be our selections today. First, our top pick is GOLD BRIDLE (#5). We'll start by making a blanket statement, "any horse that is within six lengths of 'Datticus' is very likely to win their next outing." That runner from the Ellis barn displayed one of the better efforts we've seen this year in Southern California outside of the stakes ranks, as he rolled to a super impressive victory on July 29th. GOLD BRIDLE could never get to that one, but he held his own and ran evenly throughout, an effort that if duplicated today would defeat these. PARAQUEDISTA (#3) had not run since October of 2004 in Brazil when he made his local debut on July 31st here, and it wasn't a bad effort as he was only seven lengths back in a tough allowance field, and a very good rule of thumb to go by, is giving all runners who are coming in from Brazil the outing here in this country before backing them. With that outing out of the way, we'll likely see today what type of ability he has, and the simple fact Gomez returns is a good sign.
FOURTH RACE: This is a minor stakes race at 1 1/16th on the turf. Top selection is JUST WONDER (#3). He's simply been asked to do to much against better by DeSeroux over the past year. This group is going to give this runner a big shot to find the winner's circle today. When you're right there at the wire in a 1:132.1 mile, you're pounding on the door, and if we see the same effort we just saw on July 30th here today, it's likely he'll find the winner's circle. We've noticed in his last couple of efforts that he has tended to look around down the lane, and perhaps the presence of Gomez here will help keep the concentration in the late going as Garrett really brings out the best in a horse down the lane. An interesting longshot is POSITIVE PRIZE (#1). We rarely endorse a horse trained by poor trainer Stein, but this runner is interesting. He showed ability up at Emerald Downs last year, but his 2005 debut in the Laz Barrera over at Hollywood was less then impressive. He has though been working very well for this comeback try today, and his sire 'Prized' not only defeated the great 'Sunday Silence' in the Swaps in 1989, but also won the Breeder's Cup Mile on the turf later that year. With a relaxed trip on the front end hugging the rail, a good effort would not surprise with excellent turf rider Court up.
FIFTH RACE: $10,000 claimers going six furlongs. Top selection is RAISE EXPECTATIONS (#8) who has more talent than his $10,000 offering today would indicate, but a confidence builder in this spot is needed, and he should find it today. A final 1/4 of :24.3 is likely, and that would find this runner on top inside the 1/16th pole. Kerwin John's strength is coming from off the pace, and a good effort turning for home is coming. HAINT YOU GROUND (#3) ran much better than his race looks on his past performance line in his most recent, and it's very interesting that Espinoza is riding for Monteleone as that is rare. Expect Victor to bring out the most in this runner from start to finish, and with this pair we have the top closer, and also a horse who will be prominent on the front end. We're comfortable with this pair, let's move along.
SIXTH RACE: This is a starters allowance race over six furlongs, and this is an extremely wide open event. Top choice is DRASTIC TACTICS (#6). She made up some ground down the lane at 5 1/2 furlongs, and we did note she galloped out with some interest. Gomez returns, and in her third straight lifetime start, we should see an even more effective effort today, and that puts her right there. IMPERIAL TOWER (#8) looked very impressive breaking her maiden, and we like the fact that Harrington has not rushed her back, but instead, it's possible he likely is going to get this runner only one start here at Del Mar, and we'll guess that this effort is going to count, in other words, a well meant and good effort is coming with Solis returning.
SEVENTH RACE: Optional claimer over a mile on the turf. Top choice is PASSIONATE HEAT (#10). She was stretched out on placed on the sod in her first try against winners, and she responded with a runner up finish only defeated a 1/2 length. As we always say, ALWAYS give a runner the benefit of the doubt when he or she responds gamely to a new distance or surface, and so we have to respect the success this runner showed in her initial try at both going long, and also on a new surface. Gomez is back, and we'll fully expect another big late run with the experience under her belt. VATCHESVENDETTA (#11) just broke her maiden, but she always seems to bring her same closing punch when she shows up in the afternoon, and the jump against winners today is just not likely to stop that same progression down the lane. Bisono takes over, and Alex has proven his strength is coming from off the pace, and we'll look for another good effort today with some value.
EIGHTH RACE: We end the day with a maiden $25,000 claimer over six furlongs, and this is a weak ending to this day of racing as this field is not very talented. Top choice is IT'S VODKA TALKING (#11). The first thing we're going to do, is realize the winner from this one's last race 'Elkton' freaked and ran away down the lane winning by seven lengths. If we took that horse out of the field, then we would certainly be looking at this horse's loss differently as he would have been defeated by only four lengths, and that's a big difference as compared to eleven lengths. She makes her third consecutive start off the seven month layoff today, a good sign, and in a race where there is a talent shortage, if she can hit the front here, she may keep right on going. LORNA DARE (#3) perked up when sprinting at Del Mar last time out, and she gets that same opportunity here today. Hustling Perdida is back and fits her nicely, and a win will not surprise, we'll see everyone on Friday as Pacific Classic Day draws nearer.
SECOND RACE: Maiden $62,500 clamers going six furlongs. Top selection is FUNKY FRIENDS (#6). He's been working down here at Del Mar since Mid July, and we saw a string of works that were extremely quick for this trainer in Mitchell, and the last couple of works have been on the slower side which simply tells us he's ready and has simply been getting a bit of exercise while awaiting his debut. HAPPY PANTS (#5) is a first timer from the Carava barn, and don't let the seemingly slower drills fool you. We looked back into some of our notebooks and found Gomez and Carava teaming up with a first timer named 'Daddy Grace' back in January 2002, with a worktab almost identical to this one's. Look for a decent closing rush that will have him cutting into the leader's inside the 1/8th pole.
THIRD RACE: This is an allowance race at a mile on the main track. We have a field of six, but let's quickly break this down, GRAY BLACK N WHITE and OVERKILL are moving up in class off mediocre efforts, VIZIERSHIP is coming back off a brief resting period and likely is going to need this outing today, while CHUMMIN just broke his maiden and now finds Nakatani going elsewhere, very important since Corey has first call for Craig Dollase. This leaves us with two runners, and they will be our selections today. First, our top pick is GOLD BRIDLE (#5). We'll start by making a blanket statement, "any horse that is within six lengths of 'Datticus' is very likely to win their next outing." That runner from the Ellis barn displayed one of the better efforts we've seen this year in Southern California outside of the stakes ranks, as he rolled to a super impressive victory on July 29th. GOLD BRIDLE could never get to that one, but he held his own and ran evenly throughout, an effort that if duplicated today would defeat these. PARAQUEDISTA (#3) had not run since October of 2004 in Brazil when he made his local debut on July 31st here, and it wasn't a bad effort as he was only seven lengths back in a tough allowance field, and a very good rule of thumb to go by, is giving all runners who are coming in from Brazil the outing here in this country before backing them. With that outing out of the way, we'll likely see today what type of ability he has, and the simple fact Gomez returns is a good sign.
FOURTH RACE: This is a minor stakes race at 1 1/16th on the turf. Top selection is JUST WONDER (#3). He's simply been asked to do to much against better by DeSeroux over the past year. This group is going to give this runner a big shot to find the winner's circle today. When you're right there at the wire in a 1:132.1 mile, you're pounding on the door, and if we see the same effort we just saw on July 30th here today, it's likely he'll find the winner's circle. We've noticed in his last couple of efforts that he has tended to look around down the lane, and perhaps the presence of Gomez here will help keep the concentration in the late going as Garrett really brings out the best in a horse down the lane. An interesting longshot is POSITIVE PRIZE (#1). We rarely endorse a horse trained by poor trainer Stein, but this runner is interesting. He showed ability up at Emerald Downs last year, but his 2005 debut in the Laz Barrera over at Hollywood was less then impressive. He has though been working very well for this comeback try today, and his sire 'Prized' not only defeated the great 'Sunday Silence' in the Swaps in 1989, but also won the Breeder's Cup Mile on the turf later that year. With a relaxed trip on the front end hugging the rail, a good effort would not surprise with excellent turf rider Court up.
FIFTH RACE: $10,000 claimers going six furlongs. Top selection is RAISE EXPECTATIONS (#8) who has more talent than his $10,000 offering today would indicate, but a confidence builder in this spot is needed, and he should find it today. A final 1/4 of :24.3 is likely, and that would find this runner on top inside the 1/16th pole. Kerwin John's strength is coming from off the pace, and a good effort turning for home is coming. HAINT YOU GROUND (#3) ran much better than his race looks on his past performance line in his most recent, and it's very interesting that Espinoza is riding for Monteleone as that is rare. Expect Victor to bring out the most in this runner from start to finish, and with this pair we have the top closer, and also a horse who will be prominent on the front end. We're comfortable with this pair, let's move along.
SIXTH RACE: This is a starters allowance race over six furlongs, and this is an extremely wide open event. Top choice is DRASTIC TACTICS (#6). She made up some ground down the lane at 5 1/2 furlongs, and we did note she galloped out with some interest. Gomez returns, and in her third straight lifetime start, we should see an even more effective effort today, and that puts her right there. IMPERIAL TOWER (#8) looked very impressive breaking her maiden, and we like the fact that Harrington has not rushed her back, but instead, it's possible he likely is going to get this runner only one start here at Del Mar, and we'll guess that this effort is going to count, in other words, a well meant and good effort is coming with Solis returning.
SEVENTH RACE: Optional claimer over a mile on the turf. Top choice is PASSIONATE HEAT (#10). She was stretched out on placed on the sod in her first try against winners, and she responded with a runner up finish only defeated a 1/2 length. As we always say, ALWAYS give a runner the benefit of the doubt when he or she responds gamely to a new distance or surface, and so we have to respect the success this runner showed in her initial try at both going long, and also on a new surface. Gomez is back, and we'll fully expect another big late run with the experience under her belt. VATCHESVENDETTA (#11) just broke her maiden, but she always seems to bring her same closing punch when she shows up in the afternoon, and the jump against winners today is just not likely to stop that same progression down the lane. Bisono takes over, and Alex has proven his strength is coming from off the pace, and we'll look for another good effort today with some value.
EIGHTH RACE: We end the day with a maiden $25,000 claimer over six furlongs, and this is a weak ending to this day of racing as this field is not very talented. Top choice is IT'S VODKA TALKING (#11). The first thing we're going to do, is realize the winner from this one's last race 'Elkton' freaked and ran away down the lane winning by seven lengths. If we took that horse out of the field, then we would certainly be looking at this horse's loss differently as he would have been defeated by only four lengths, and that's a big difference as compared to eleven lengths. She makes her third consecutive start off the seven month layoff today, a good sign, and in a race where there is a talent shortage, if she can hit the front here, she may keep right on going. LORNA DARE (#3) perked up when sprinting at Del Mar last time out, and she gets that same opportunity here today. Hustling Perdida is back and fits her nicely, and a win will not surprise, we'll see everyone on Friday as Pacific Classic Day draws nearer.