Hot and cold
Mark Glatt led all Del Mar trainers last week with an 11-4-0-3 record and is now tied for fourth place in the standings with seven wins for the meet.
Doug O’Neill followed up his monster nine-victory week with a solid 16-3-4-2 mark and leads Peter Miller (11-1-3-4 for the week) by five wins for the meet, 16-11.
John Sadler followed up an 0 for 12 effort in Week 3 with a 10-2-2-0 mark in Week 4 and should be a trainer to watch this week. Sadler likes to win stakes races and there are plenty of those week, headed by the Pacific Classic on Saturday.
The Peter Eurton barn is starting to thaw from its icy start as he was 3-2-1-0 during the week.
Some barns are still struggling. Keith Desormeaux (1 for 22), Michael McCarthy (1-18), Steve Knapp (1-17), Tim McCanna (1-13), John Sherriffs (0-14), George Papaprodromous (0-17), Jim Cassidy (0-14) and Jack Carava (0-14) must be looked at as throw outs in handicapping until they show signs of life.
Miller and O’Neill lead the pack with six winners each on the main track followed by Sadler and Bob Baffert with five wins each. Neil Drysdale, who is known mainly for prowess on the turf, is 2 for 2 on the dirt.
It is pretty amazing O’Neill leads all trainers with 10 victories on the grass. from 42 starts. It wasn’t too many years ago that O’Neill went through a streak of 1 for 76 on the turf, but times have changed.
On the other end, Vladimir Cerin is 1 for 14 on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course while McCarthy if 0 for 17 with just two third place finishes and Patrick Gallagher is 0 for 12.
Del Mar opinions for Sunday, Aug. 11
FIRST RACE: 1. Kiana’s Love, 2. Cavernndchipmunks, 3. Anonymously. LONG SHOT: Tip Top Gal.
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SECOND RACE: 1. Drink, 2. Boyson, 3. Mongolian Legend. LONG SHOT: Lostinthemoment.
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THIRD RACE: 1. Shining Through, 2. Klondike Creek, 3. Overdue. LONG SHOT: Battle of Memphis.
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FOURTH RACE: 1. Inspiresse, 2. I’m the Hero, 3. Bast. LONG SHOT: K P Dreamin.
No matter what happens in this race keep track of the fillies returning down the line because this is one loaded 2-year-old filly maiden event.
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FIFTH RACE: 1. Testimony, 2. Indy Jones, 3. Midnight Bandit. LONG SHOT: Blue Skye Jade.
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SIXTH RACE: 1. NOLO CONTESTO (best bet), 2. Give Me the Lute, 3. City Rage. LONG SHOT: Carnivorous.
NOLO CONTESTO is making his debut on the turf and if he takes to it, watch out. Listen to the names of the horses that won races he has competed in so far in his young career: Kingly, Roadster (twice) and Mr. Money. I’d say he has been facing some tough hombres.
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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Anonymity, 2. Lady Ninja, 3. Yuvetsi. LONG SHOT: Best of Me.
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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Paige Anne, 2. Tacocat, 3. Awesome Drive. LONG SHOT: Text Dont Call.
The following horses are “stuck” in this race and expected to be scratched this morning: Overjoyed, Augure, and Circleofcolor.
Good luck.
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Top choice winners: 3 (Mongolian Humor $6.80, first race; Cabin John $6, third; Eye On Tiger $6.20, fourth)
Second choice winners: 2 (Fantasy Heat $9.20, second; Boru $4.40, fifth)
Third choice winners: 0
Long shot winners: 2 (Principe Carlo $9.40, sixth; Golden Image $26.40, eighth)
SATURDAY’S RESULTS
Top choice winners: 4 (Drippin Sauce $6, second race; Billy Batts $3.80, third; Andesh $6.80, fifth; Swing Thoughts $9.20, sixth)
Second choice winners: 0
Third choice winners: 2 (Storm the Court $27.20, first; K P Slickem $6.80, seventh; Smoovie $17.20, ninth)
Long shot winners: 1 (Collusion Illusion $17.80, eighth)
Del Mar opinions for Saturday, Aug. 10 (UPDATED)
FIRST RACE: 1. Garth, 2. Convex, 3. Storm the Court. LONG SHOT: Zimba Warrior.
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SECOND RACE: 1. Drippin Sauce, 2. El Tigre Terrible, 3. Miss Fraulein. LONG SHOT: D K’s Crown.
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THIRD RACE: 1. Billy Batts, 2. Power Source, 3. Drasario. LONG SHOT: Fantasy Game.
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FOURTH RACE: 1. Ca Dreamer, 2. Hopscotchy, 3. Tengs Rhythm. LONG SHOT: Champagne Honey.
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FIFTH RACE: 1. Andesh, 2. Acker, 3. Dreams of Valor. LONG SHOT: Mt Italian Babbo.
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SIXTH RACE: 1. Swing Thoughts, 2. Portal Creek, 3. Square Peggy. LONG SHOT: Emerald Lady.
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SEVENTH RACE: 1. ZEE DROP (best bet), 2. Gallovie, 3. K P Slickem. LONG SHOT: Angel Alessandra.
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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Schrodinger (SCRATCHED due to fever, according to the DRF), 2. Thanks Mr. Edison, 3. We’re Still Here. LONG SHOT: Raging Whiskey. NEW PICKS: 1. Wrecking Crew, 2. Fore left, 3. We’re Still Here. LONG SHOT: Collusion Illusion.
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NINTH RACE: 1. Flower Point, 2. Rockin Ready, 3. Smoovie. LONG SHOT: Courteous.
Include FIRST SCREENING and HELLO BUBBLES in your handicapping. Tough race. Spread.
Good luck.
Arlington Park opinions for Arlington Million Day, Saturday, Aug. 10
NINTH RACE Grade I Beverly D): 1. Fleeting, 2. Sistercharlie, 3. Awesometank, 4. Competitionofideas. LONG SHOT: Thais.
I didn’t include Magic Wand in this race. Everything I’ve read is that she will opt to run the Million.
10TH RACE (Grade I Secretariart): 1. Never No More, 2. Fog of War, 3. Valid Point, 4. The Last Zip. LONG SHOT: Crafty Daddy.
11TH RACE (Grade I Arlington Million): 1. Bricks and Mortar, 2. Intellogent, 3. Robert Bruce, 4. Magic Wand. LONG SHOT: Pivoine.
12TH RACE (Grade III Pucker Up): 1. Indigo Gin, 2. Cafe Americano, 3. Art of Almost, 4. Mercilla. LONG SHOT: Gamblin Train.
Good luck
Del Mar opinions for Friday, Aug. 9
FIRST RACE: 1. Mongolian Humor, 2. So Long Sailor, 3. Zakaroff. LONG SHOT: Trapper Peak.
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SECOND RACE: 1. Shylock Eddie, 2. Fantasy Heat, 3. Marilyn’s Smile. LONG SHOT: Brahms Command.
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THIRD RACE: 1. Cabin John, 2. Implicity, 3. Clear the Mine. LONG SHOT: Muchos Besos (SCRATCHED), New pick: Roaring Rule..
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FOURTH RACE: 1. Eye On Tiger, 2. Ice Angel, 3. Very Boisterous. LONG SHOT: Sheza a Grinder.
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FIFTH RACE: 1. Salah, 2. Boru, 3. Speakerofthehouse. LONG SHOT: Papa Joe.
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SIXTH RACE: 1. SILKEN PRINCE (BEST BET), 2. Rickey B, 3. Platinum Nights. LONG SHOT: Principe Carlo.
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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Mo See Cal, 2. Don’t Sell, 3. A Walk in the Park. LONG SHOT: Coco Kisses.
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EIGHTH RACE: 1. King Parker, 2. White Russian, 3. Severin. LONG SHOT: Golden Image.
Good luck.
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Top choice winners: 3 (D’s Lovely Sophia $19.20, second race; Toinette $3, fifth; Crown the Kitten $4.30, sixth)
Second choice winners: 1 (Rattle $8.40, fourth)
Third choice winners: 0
Long shot winners: 1 (Asaro $37.80, seventh)
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
Top choice winners: 3 (Aced $6, fifth race; Zestful $6.80, sixth; Senora Power $3.80, seventh)
Second choice winners: 0
Third choice winners: 2 (Takethediamondlane, $3,80, first; Playa Chica $4.80, second)
Long shot winners: 0
Del Mar opinions for Thursday, Aug. 8
After going 2 for 8 on last week, Flavien Prat has made the race for the jockey title interesting again entering Wednesday action.
Prat was tied at the top with Drayden Van Dyke as both riders have 17 winners entering Week 4.
In all fairness to Prat, he missed three racing days last week, two by suspension and one while riding Bellafina in the Test at Saratoga. He was in the money with all eight of his mounts.
Van Dyke made up ground by going 5 for 21 on the week and that wasn’t even the most wins for the five days of racing.
Rafael Bejarano and Abel Cedillo both had six victories and also had a hand in Doug O’Neill’s big week.
Journeyman Ruben Fuentes rebounded from a winless Week 2 to score four wins from 19 mounts.
Aaron Gryder (1 for 33) and apprentice J.C. Diaz Jr (1-33) are struggling as is Alonzo Quinonez (0 for 14).
Fuentes took over on the top while riding on the main track as he has nine victories, but he is 0 for 26 on the grass and should be avoided.
Prat and Van Dyke lead the colony with 10 grass victories each.
Victor Espinoza (1-22), Norberto Arroyo (1-29), Martin Garcia (1-16), Tiago Pereira (0-19), apprentice Jorge Velez (0-18) and Gryder (0-16) have been less than stellar on the turf course.
FIRST RACE: 1. Miss Megan, 2. Remember to Smile, 3. Takethediamondlane. LONG SHOT: Jan Jan Can.
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SECOND RACE: 1. Moonshone Annie, 2. Tig Tog, 3. Playa Chica. LONG SHOT: Divine Dharma.
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THIRD RACE: 1. Best Two Minutes, 2. Weast Hill, 3. Fast Cotton. LONG SHOT: Monydontspenitself.
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FOURTH RACE: 1. MASTER RYAN (best bet), 2. Fredikstad, 3. Cunning Munnings. LONG SHOT: Tribals Last Reign.
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FIFTH RACE: 1. Aced, 2. Emtech, 3. Vintage Hollywood. LONG SHOT: Sea’s Journey.
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SIXTH RACE: 1. Zestful, 2. Builder, 3. Play Hard to Get. LONG SHOT: Zeke.
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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Solar Nova, 2. Senora Power, 3. Lady Sunset. LONG SHOT: Kuda Huraa.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Del Mar opinions for Wednesday, Aug. 7 (updated)
NOTE: To say trainer Doug O’Neill had a good Week 3 at Del Mar is just wrong. He had a great week.
The venerable trainer, who tied his own track record last Wednesday with five winners in a single day, climbed into the meet lead with nine victories from 20 entries. He also added four runner-up finishes and a third.
O’Neill jumped over several trainers and now leads the meet with 13 victories.
Peter Miller is second with 10 wins after a 2 for 10 week while Bob Hess Jr. grabbed third place (seven wins) with a 3 for 7 week.
John Sadler, the meet’s leading money earner with $738,875, had a week to forget with an 0 for 12 effort.
On the dirt, O’Neill and Miller lead the way with six wins each. However, more shocking is the fact that O’Neill leads everyone on the turf with seven victories.
Overall, a few trainers continue to struggle at the meet like Keith Desormeaux (1 for 17), Peter Eurton (1-18), Michael McCarthy (1-19) and Val Brinkerhoff (1-13).
FIRST RACE: 1. Chasin Mummy, 2. Temple Bar, 3. K P Indy. LONG SHOT: Whispering Flame.
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SECOND RACE: 1. D’s Lovely Sophia, 2. Miss Lady Ann, 3. Interesting Times. LONG SHOT: Coilette.
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THIRD RACE: 1. WAR CHEST (best bet), 2. He’s Like Violence, 3. Passionate Reward. LONG SHOT: Aussie Fox.
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FOURTH RACE: 1. Ma Bella, 2. Rattle, 3. Appolina (SCRATCHED) New pick: Tell It again. LONG SHOT: Aleda Lutz.
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FIFTH RACE: 1. Toinette, 2. Youngest Daughter, 3. Quebec. LONG SHOT: Just a Smidge.
It was all I could do not to pick YOUNGEST DAUGHTER in this spot. She is 15-1 on the morning-line and trainer Vicki Oliver has won me a lot of money over the years shipping into Del Mar with grass horses from Kentucky. This is a tough spot and TOINETTE looks like a slam duck. I promise you one thing, I will have a couple bucks on YD and will back her up in the exactas. I just couldn’t put her on top.
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SIXTH RACE: 1. Crown the Kitten, 2. For Him, 3. Avanti Bello. LONG SHOT: Gran Fiesta (SCRATCHED) New pick: Tiz Love.
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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Play Money, 2. Fravel, 3. Jamming Eddy. LONG SHOT: Asaro.
Good luck.
SUNDAY’S RESULTS
Top choice winners: 3 (Dr. Wysong $4.60, third race; Offshore $7.20, fourth; Passing $8, eighth)
Second choice winners: 1 (Eight Rings $3.20, fifth)
Third choice winners: 0
Long shot winners: 1 (Kingly $18.60, seventh)
Del Mar opinions for Tuesday, Aug. 6
What’s your favorite number?
If the number three is your favorite digit then you have had a good betting meet at Del Mar.
The No. 3 post position is the top winning spot for horses in dirt sprint races (11 for 67), in dirt distance races (13 for 55) and on the turf course (11 for 49). That means the No. 3 post is winning 21 percent of the time at the three-week old meet.
The inside post hasn’t been the greatest in dirt sprints with just 9 percent winners (6 for 67). The No. 1 hole is a little better going two turns on the main track (10.9 percent), but the No. 2 post has been the kiss of death with just two winners from 55 starters.
Likewise on the turf course, the inside two posts have just eight victories from 49 starts (16.3 percent) while in the middle of the starting gate seems way better.
As one might suspect on the grass, anything from posts eight on out can be tough to win from. Post eight has just 8.1 percent winners and post nine is 1 for 26. Posts 11 and 12 are a combined 0 for 12. The one anomaly is post No. 10 is 3 for 15 (20 percent).
Del Mar opinions for Sunday, Aug. 4 (updated)
NOTE: I didn’t have all my tools that I usually have when I make picks yesterday so I’m going to suggest you add some horses — if you want — in some races and if and when Del Mar puts out scratches I might put out some different selections
FIRST RACE: 1. Bunny Yogurt, 2. Sheza Factor, 3. And Counting. LONG SHOT: A Lonna At The Top.
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SECOND RACE: 1. Toothless Wonder, 2. Unbridled’s Skye, 3. Juggles. LONG SHOT: Verynsky.
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THIRD RACE: 1. Dr Wysong, 2. Papaclem’smidnight, 3. Wishful. LONG SHOT: Quit Kvetching.
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FOURTH RACE: 1. Offshore, 2. Bam Bam Bryan, 3. Gabo’s Macondo. LONG SHOT: Bird Is the Word.
Must also look at Fabozzi and Offshore.
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FIFTH RACE: 1. Phast Pharoah, 2. Eight Rings, 3. Shooters Shoot. LONG SHOT: Express Train.
Tough race for -year-olds and the Baffert mystique was blown up yesterday. Also look at Flash of Promise and Can’tbetemall, but neither trainer had good numbers with first-time starters.
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SIXTH RACE: 1. DISTINCTIVE B (best bet), 2. Rafal, 3. Jack Van Berg. LONG SHOT: Grinning Tiger.
Morgan S., Landeskog, and Shane Zain must be looked at.
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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Gregorian Chant, 2. Jasikan, 3. Stubbins. LONG SHOT: Kingly.
Obviously Neptune’s Storm must be looked at considering jock and trainer but also look at Rijeka from the same trainer although I don’t like jockey Ruben Fuentes on the turf.
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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Passing, 2. Wilt, 3. Mr. Class. LONG SHOT: Vermeer.
Wide open event so also throw in Imagineiamfastest and Go Sammy Go.
Good luck.
SATURDAY’S RESULTS
Top choice winners: 1 (Beau Recall $6, eighth race)
Second choice winners: 3 (Lazy Daisy $9, first; Whatsittoya $10.40, second; Amalfi Sunrise $3.40, fifth)
Third choice winners: 3 (Riding With Dino $8.60, fourth; Castle $7.60, sixth; Dunbow Road $9.20, seventh)
Long shot winners: 0
Del Mar opinions for Saturday, Aug. 3
FIRST RACE: 1. Eclair, 2. Lazy Daisy, 3. Greg’s Diva. LONG SHOT: Bristol Bayou.
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SECOND RACE: 1. San Giorgio, 2. Whatsittoya, 3. Conquest Smartee. LONG SHOT: Polity.
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THIRD RACE: 1. Smiling Angelo, 2. Psycho Dar, 3. Eagle Song. LONG SHOT: Stop the Violence.
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FOURTH RACE: 1. Eustace, 2. Fly the Sky, 3. Riding With Dino. LONG SHOT: Five O.
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FIFTH RACE: 1. Comical, 2. Amalfi Sunrise, 3. Shedaresthedevil. LONG SHOT: Powerfulattraction.
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SIXTH RACE: 1. Dom the Bomb, 2. Regal Born, 3. Castle. LONG SHOT: Gutsy Ruler.
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SEVENTH RACE: 1. Goddess Aphrodite, 2. Virginia Hall, 3. Dunbow Road. LONG SHOT: My S V R.
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EIGHTH RACE: 1. Beau Recall, 2. Vasilika, 3. Toinette. LONG SHOT: Youngest Daughter.
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NINTH RACE: 1. Boujie Girl, 2. Message, 3. Tijori. LONG SHOT: Shes All Woman.
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10TH RACE: 1. BUSY PAYNTER (best bet), 2. Dulverton Darling, 3. Coldwater. LONG SHOT: Calentita.
Good Luck.
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Top choice winners: 2 (Brilliant Richie $4, first race; Clear to Close $4.60, fifth)
Second choice winners: 1 (Super Bunny $11.40, second)
Third choice winners: 2 (Meal Ticket $7.80, sixth; Big Returns $4.40, seventh)
Long shot winners: 0