Preview: It’s Cal Cup Day so there are plenty of tough races. There are also some races with prohibitive favorites so you have to make the decision whether to go with an odds-on horse or go against the grain.

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Race 3: #7 Riddle Me (8-1) 

The powerful due to jockey Kent Desormeaux and trainer Bob Hess Jr. team up here. Hess is 26% the first time he puts a horse in a maiden claimer. This filly showed some speed in her debut and if she does that again she should do well here.

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Race 7: #11 Qiaona (8-1)

This mare has won down the hill before and done well in a Cal-bred stakes, too. She has the best late pace rating and jockey Victor Espinoza takes over.

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Race 9: #4 Image of Joplin (15-1)

This gelding is 2-for-2 over this turf course, albeit against lesser competition. He is coming off a front-running win and jockey Agapito Delgadillo takes over. Trainer Matthew Chew is 38% in on-graded stakes.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter