Handicapper Tips & Picks

Generally, speed has a major advantage in these turf sprints, though this dynamic looks to be contentious with many legit early speed front running types. That scenario could set up for #6 KATERINI as she could fall into the right trip. She has some tactical speed in her own right though not the type of sprint speed as many of her rivals and as a Square has finishing ability to take over late. 

#7 MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING comes back fresh from a two month break and with some intent for this meet. He was a vet scratch from a similar type claiming sprint on July 23^rd and comes back here with a pair of works since. He is not the most consistent type, though Knapp has been able to get this one to fire fresh in the past. He could also present a subtle class edge as this race is restricted to three-year-old’s and he has been running again older in most of his races this season. 

#9 TEQUILA MIA caught the eye (PRERACE+) when she made her debut last month in what appeared all around to be a PREP and projects to move forward today.

#1 HARNEY LANE has some run and plenty of foundation on her side to come in fit for this race. Physically she looks capable for today’s surface/distance and could be intent with Vazquez picking up the mount for Hofmans, a barn he does not often ride for.

McCarthy will send out a pair of first time starters; #3 SUSHI STICKS physically looks the part of a TURF runner in her works and appears intended with Hernandez aboard. #6 LADY LITHESOME also looks fine for the turf, though on the smaller side and might prefer one-turn. #4 O K ROSE is another first time starter in this field with plenty of published works, though have not seen any of those works.

#10 MOMENT’S PLEASURE turned in a BTL effort making a MOVE X_BIAS in her debut three weeks ago that earned her a follow; however, she comes back today with a step up in class as the one knock. Her 69 OptixFIG is in line with some of the other rivals, #2 KITZKATY, #7 LIGHTING AND REIGN and #10 HIT DANZING, runners that must show more overall for a top spot. 

The Baffert pair of #3 WYNSTOCK and #6 ULTRA POWER have been working together and working in blinkers. ULTRA POWER is a lumbering type that should benefit from the outside post, though ultimately could benefit from the added ground. WYNSTOCK is as race ready as he will ever be though does look to carry himself in a turfy manner.

Of the runners with experience: #4 EL MAGNIFICO is much preferred over #1 ROTHSCHILD (inefficient action) from their debut. 

The AE’s could change the race shape with many of those horses possessing early speed and should adjust for pace with scratches and if those runners draw in. #1 SHE’S GOT A WAY has some tactical speed and distance wise should benefit from this slight cut back in distance keying off the visuals from her recent starts at Santa Anita. #3 REAL FIRE returns to the turf and from an EX – EXCUSE in the stakes last month at LRC and projects to IMPROVE.

#4 QUEENZY will give up recency though could benefit from the changes as she returns here with the barn change to Miller, rider change to Hernandez and distance change back to sprinting. She showed sprint speed here last August and could see her show similar speed here. The distance change to ONE_TURN is also key for #7 SWALL, though has a test on this circuit and class level as the bigger hurdles. The 5f distance is unknown for #8 MAGIC LIGHT, though her one 6f sprint in April was a BTL effort showing a strong CLOSE and GALLOP+ and one that could be left in the mix at the right price. Berrios remains with MAGIC LIGHT rather than recent maiden winner, #10 JUST NAILS – one that recorded a strong speed figures, though visually was a bit one paced just staying on for the win. 

Many of the runners with experience showed gate issues, the tendency to break slow. One of those being #4 HAVOC though can be upgraded showing some run making a WIDE MOVE and finds the right class change with the DROP to maiden claiming company. Mulhall has been working #3 HANDSOME HARRY on his gate issues and as they come back today with the barn change, the class change, rider, and barn change they appear well meant and should put forward a top effort here. 

#8 ROSE MADDOX could be overlooked as she returns from the break and 9^th place run in graded stakes company last month at Los Alamitos. As far as that race goes, she was not in the right time and place and the connections just giving her the start as she looks to move up returning to the TURF and ROUTER distance. She has run well in stakes company and under similar conditions to suggest she can compete here. 

First time starter #8 PONDERGATING lands in this spot and will race for a tag failing to draw into a MSW race back on 7/22 and a stewards scratch from a MSW turf sprint on August 11^th. She has shown some run in the morning and the outside post figures to suit her frame. The outside draw also should benefit #9 JOSIE EARP as she presents “turfy” action, though at the same time looks well-meant for this race and can show early speed from the gate and likely that intent here with  Herrera aboard.

Both Proctor and VanDyke have been cold so far this meet, though could pop with #2 PANDA PEAK as she finds the class change to run against Cal-bred company and likely intent with the “ship and win” in play and the intent to race here at Del Mar all along.

The class DROP projected to and moved up #7 COCKTAIL CUTIE on August 4^th. That class change could benefit both #5 BIG RAINBOW and #6 KEEPYOURPRANCEON here, two runners that have shown their ability so far and just need to catch the right group. 

T 1 Rowlen 4 Radio Lab 8 Victor Invictus

T 4 Ghostly Casper 2 Hasty Bid 5 Tuscan Prince

T 3 Righteous Resolve 6 Baroness Hill 7 Call Me Goo

P 10 Leave It To Leo 9 Fade To Light 1 Bettorholdontight

P 3 Lyons Bettorday 1 Talk Curdy To Me 9 Illusion Seelster

T 1 Phoenix 2 Stormont Molly 10 Mystic

P 8 Mystifying 7 Parisian Blue Chip 6 Western Wish

T 6 Musical Ride 5 Osceola 2 The Great Emotion

T 7 Silly Me Hanover 6 Hp Extra Ice 2 Warrawee Yes

P 3 Oh Coffee Bean 1 Hurrikane Cheyenne 6 Bettor On Ice

P 3 Momentarily 9 Twin B Betty 10 Ms Quick Sand

P 9 Shoot The Whisk\ey 1 Beyond The Sea 4 Coz Im Special