Handicapper Tips & Picks

#7 BRAZEN BULL could present a pace advantage in this field and overlooked for the connections returning from the layoff for the new barn. There has been intent this meet to run under similar conditions entered (re-entered on 8/18 with Vasquez and 5.5f distance. 

From off the pace, #1 CUPID'S CRUSADER scratched (re-entered) from that same 8/18 event and will make his first start at the lower $20k MCL level. His dirt figures standout over the turf figures, with those numbers on par for today's race. #3 FORDY G was the other re-entered here from 8/18 and another that will make a first start at this level with foundation this season - though does not hold an edge over others. 

Intent looks in play for #6 BIG WAY as he makes his second start of the meet and key DROP to MCL company. He is repeating a second off pattern going back to the career top effort, 71 OptixFIG from back on April 26th. 

There is a scenario where the pace is contentious and that dynamic upgrades, #2 AWESOME RHYTHM coming back off the extended layoff. He looks intended for this meet given the return work tab for Victor Garcia, a cagey barn that can pop with this type of horse. 

Crichton has been sending out more live runners this meet than last season and stronger that the record this season. He could have another live on in #3 ROLLING ON as he makes his second start of the meet and foundation over this course and distance coming back from the TRAFFIC trip 16-days ago. #5 CASTLEKNOCK also returns from that common race on 8/10 also with a TRAFFIC trip, a rider upgrade to Hernandez and and shifting off the rail - those two earning the same B- OptixGRADE. 

The pace is noted with #8 DEVIL MOON one that could be the "speed of the speed" though has shown a NO_FINISH pattern and benefit from a "WEAK" field and PERFECT trip when breaking his maiden. 

#8 PEQUENA TORMENTA finds considerable class relief moving her up in this spot on that alone. #5 GREY FROST makes her debut on this circuit with "bonus" intent in play here. She was protected off the claim at Ellis Park back in June, given the freshening for this race and back to the one-turn distance. 

#10  ROMAN EMPRESS is given a mention as a longshot in this field to make some noise once again. Class wise this is a lateral move from her most recent starts, has run well here at Del Mar and the extended sprint distance. 

Baffert starts a pair in this race including #5 MIRAHMADI one that started out with a lot of steam though has been underwhelming in each start, breaking SLOG and running one paced. His figures from those first two starts are higher than the others with experience in this field and could have that along with fitness as an edge though plenty of reasons to be hesitant at a short price again. Stablemate #3 POINT DUME looks the part of a ROUTER off the debut visuals and should benefit from the added ground wheeling right back for this second start. 

The distance change should also benefit #6 BIGREDSANDRIBEYES stretching out off the debut visuals three weeks ago. 

#7 SENSE makes his debut here and looks ready to get a start watching the August 13th work. Smith has been picking up live calls this meet including one on a winning first time starter. 

#1 KITTY KATANA is often well backed and expects similar in this spot. She has run well here at Del Mar with favorable trips, though also has shown some distance limitations to keep in mind if the short price again is in play and in a race with alternatives. 

#8 PRIDE OF THE NILE makes a belated return and return to the turf. She showed a lot of run on debut in stakes company and validated that breaking her maiden in the next start and parlaying that into an allowance win. She took a pair of tough beats in the next two graded stakes starts and went off form prior to the layoff she returns from here. #5 GRACELUND GRAY will also make belated return and one that has some ability overall though no real edge in this race, especially giving up recency. 

Powell takes over the training on #4 ARINA and while he does not expect to move her up from Brown necessarily, he should keep her in form and the change in circuit could do the rest. 

Taking a straightforward approach to this race; #3 DISCO BALL should be in the right spot to compete with the class drop and potential pace advantage. #4 PACO'S PICO also has some early speed and fits in this spot if he can transfer his Florida form out west. 

If the pacesetters come back to the field (worth monitoring the track profile) #5 MY MAN BAGS, #6 POSITIVITY and #9 CYBERVIKING should be sitting with first run. They will have first run on #1 HOUNDSTOOTH and #7 BRIGHT LEAD both runners fit on class and speed figures, though trip from off the pace must be considered and both horses also return today from longer layoffs - similar for #10 QUICK FINISH. 

Ron Ellis has had a decent meet with limited starts and could see that carry with #4 LIVING LIFE in this spot to make his debut. Fellow first time starter, #6 ANTONSEN a four-year-old was scheduled to debut over this course and distance back in December, though a vet scratch and was also entered against statebred company, a change facing open here. 

Of the horses that have run on this circuit many of left something to be desired and that could benefit new face #11 HARRY'S ONTHEFLY with turf sprint experience freshened last seen during the Gulfstream Park Championship meet. 

#9 PETCOFF looks to need some class relief off the June 3rd visuals, a race that had some quality and today's race is a lower race par. #7 THRUST will make his second start, a horse that made a positive physical appearance in the 7/21 debut though did not do much running chasing on a WIDE trip. The experience, surface/distance experience could assist but he must show a lot more. 

Cerin will send out a pair in this race including #4 ARHAM, a horse that has a win at today's N2 conditions and one that has been able to run well off a long layoff and given his overall record and time off, he is the type that has to come ready to run. His stablemate, sophomore #5 KINGDOM HEART has some ability though finds a tougher spot here, a higher race OFR making his second off the layoff. 

#6 NABOKOV does not have the official win at the N2 condition, though has run "winning" type races under events out at NYRA that make shim a fit here and still bonus eligible to further intent. 

#3 MUSICAL RHAPSODY had a legit excuse on July 27th making her local debut. She had a rough start and a rough trip that followed and one can project she did not have a chance to show her best that day. This could be a live call for Reylu Gutierrez taking over today and the preferred over stablemate, #9 LAKOTA SPIRIT one that comes into this race softer on numbers than many of her rivals. 

#5 GIMME MO BABY  projected to improve with the added ground making her second start off the layoff on July 29th. She did just that with a solid effort in a less than ideal inside TRAFFIC trip to give her a look again today under similar conditions. #7 SHOCKING GREY also returns from that 7/29 race where she was stick with the outside post showing run making a WIDE MOVE, over a course that is tough to compete with that type of trip.

#4 YERWANTHERE comes in with recency as she makes her local debut in this spot. As far as class she will find relief out of her recent stakes races and could fit right in on this circuit.

#2 LINDA'S GIFT looked a little overmatched at the level on August 3rd though as she comes back today with the positive change in distance, will also find a slightly lower OFR in that race and while a top spot requires a top effort and racing luck she should stake a step forward today. 

See Stakes Spotlight for analysis. 

This is a competitive race to close out the card and reason to spread in multis and/or find the right price at post time on the board. Some ideas but not limited to: #3 ST. IGNACIO raced WIDE against X_BIAS on July 30th before taking the path of a rival and a DQ from 4th as a result. #7 GAELIC NATION makes a belated return though a key class change to run for a tag. Stablemate #8 RUSSELLS HUSTLE has had plenty of chances to hold some reservations though also has recorded some BTL races in his two most recent starts to keep in the mix. #9 CRYPTO MAN has some run and improved last month, though off the visuals he could still have some distance limitations and trip is key. #10 STORMIN MIGNIGHT will race for a tag today as he makes his first start on this circuit. He must continue to step forward as even with the class change, the higher OFR is also in play today. 

PAT O'BRIEN STAKES (G2)

Starting with the group returning from the Bing Crosby (G1) last month, #7 SPIRIT OF MAKENA had a complete EX - EXCUSE and never in the right spot to compete before taken in hand late. His prior races both here at Del Mar and winning in graded stakes company at today's 7f distance fit right back in with today's conditions. Rival #9 ANARCHIST overall had a favorable trip and could benefit from the fitness in his second start off the layoff though still must prove he belongs at this graded stakes level and 7f distance. The distance change should benefit #3 HOIST THE GOLD, though is another that has come up short on "class" at times in graded stakes races. Some intent could be in play with R. Gutierrez named to ride, a rider that will make his first start aboard today though has been named at times in the past looking at scratches. 

#8 VISITANT could prefer the synthetic, however has run competitive races and held his figures when running on the main track. His main track starts have been limited, though many of those events were contested at a route distance (does seem to move up one-turn) in graded stakes company. As far as his Keeneland 7f allowance back in 2020, that was his first start off a 404-day layoff and given no favors that day with the outside post and slow start that kept him from his best effort and a race he rebounded from. 

#4 SIR ATTICUS showed a lot of run on debut, a BTL effort where the IMPROVE was projected and did just that breaking his maiden and winning against allowance company earning B+ OptixGRADE with improving OptixFIG. The step up in class is warranted here, though in order to contend for that top spot, he will require another move forward today. 

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P 8 Odds On Platinum 7 Pass And Stow 6 Genie Hanover

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