Tag Archives: Enola Gray

Del Mar, Horse racing

Del Mar selections for Thursday, July 21

Preview: For those keeping track, no pun intended, the main dirt track played to speed on Sunday, especially when the horse was in the two path or out further. How the track plays this week is anyone’s guess because there always seems to be a change after the two day break so check Wednesday’s results to see how the track played.
Seems like speed was again king on Wednesday, at least early on the card. Tried to beat Bob Baffert in the feature and he goes 1-2. One of those days: close but no cigar. Full picks up later.

Race 1: 1. Gunslinger, 2. Sweet Shop, 3. Far Out Kailee. LONG SHOT: Warren’s T. Baze.

Race 2 1. #3 Where’s the D (4-1), 2. Pico Chick, 3. Star of Munster. LONG SHOT: Dragon Flower.
This filly drops into a claiming race for the first time in her career, a move trainer Doug O’Neill is 20% with and she has speed, which we’ve already said is good on this track. She broke her maiden over this track and had a good work over it last week.

Race 3: 1. Te Rapa, 2. Mr T Bird, 3. Freddies Dream. LONG SHOT: Neveradoubt.

Race 4: 1. Reward of Roses, 2. Crown on Tap, 3. Kylie Informed. LONG SHOT: Broken Marriage.

Race 5: 1. #3 Warm Endowment (4-1), 2. Californiasunshine, 3. Shehastheritestuff. LONG SHOT: Malware.
Interesting move here by jockey Flavien Prat, who could have ridden another favorite in this race, but opts to ride this daughter of Unusual Heat. Trainer Dean Pederson is 21% with horses coming back in 31-60 days.

Race 6: 1. #5 Goliath’s Girl (6-1), 2. Trinitys Turn, 3. Plastered. LONG SHOT: Marell Street.
Trainer Phil D’Amato is already off to a fast start with multiple wins opening week. Here we have a fill who broke her maiden last time out and D’Amato sends her around two turns for the first time, a move he is 24% with. He also goes from an apprentice rider to Tyler Baze and they are 26% together.

Race 7: 1. #7 Mai Tai (6-1), 2. Almost Reality, 3. Summer Lady. LONG SHOT: Queenofthecastle.
This filly finished second to the talented Enola Gray first time out and then broke her maiden at second asking. Now she tries two turns on the grass for the first time. The sire Heatseeker gets 22% winners first time on the turf. Trainer Bob Hess and jockey Kent Desormeaux are a potent combination.

Race 8: 1. Star Express, 2. Five Star Jack, 3. Big Bad Jon. LONG SHOT: Squash.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

Wednesday’s top choice winners: 1 (Spicy Blonde $3.60, fourth race)

Wednesday’s second choice winners: 4 (Allthatnmore $6.60, second; Marriedtoaminister $5, third; Chao Chom $4.60, sixth; Pretty N Cool $8, seventh)

Wednesday’s third choice winners: 0

Wednesday’s long shot winners: 0

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Horse racing, Santa Anita

Santa Anita opinions for Monday,May 30

Preview: Not the greatest card, but it’s a holiday so let’s have a good time. A few numbers to ponder: the leading rider of the main track is Edwin Maldonado with 15 wins from 51 mounts followed by Tyler Baze (10-47) and Rafael Bejarano (9-43). On the other end, Stewart Elliott 1-for-29, Agapito Delgadillo (0-21) and Abel Lezcano (0-18).

Race 1 – SA
#7 Mai Tai (5-2) LIKELY TO SCRATCH
This filly ran into a buzzsaw named Enola Gray first time out and lost by more than 16 lengths, despite finishing second. Enola came back to win a Cal-bred stakes Saturday so that’s good for this 3-year-old.

Race 5 – SA
#3 Little Bit Lovely (6-1): This 4-year-old could prove to be a great claim by trainer Jack Carava. She won her only race down the hill and comes back on the same layout with the same jockey, Flavien Prat, who is leading the meet in winners on the grass. The fill also has the top Brisnet Prime and Class Ratings.

Race 8 – SA
#8 Illuminant (5-1): This filly finished third to the monster female Tepin in the Grade I Jenny Wiley. She is the only speed I see in this race and think Falvien Prat will go to the front with her again. She must make up a length on Wekeela, who is shipping in for trainer Chad Brown but I think she can do with a patient ride.

Race 10 – SA
#9 El Super (6-1): The Richard Mandella-trainee gave just an even effort in his first race in more than a year last time. Good turf jockey Flavien Prat takes over and he is 17% with Mandella.

@Jeff_Nahill on Twitter

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