Racing at Del Mar. (This is Princess Grace, winning the Yellow Ribbon Stakes on Saturday.) @DelMarRacing on Twitter
Thoroughbreds

Sunday at Del Mar: Two-Play Mike Dennis has picks for the 3rd and 7th races and recaps Friday

Today's picks are two 5 furlong turf races.

Mike Dennis

Two Play Mike - Del Mar Racing

Sunday, Aug 8 2021

@blinkersoff420

Recap from Friday, August 6th (skipped Sat)

Play 1: Race 4 - #8 Sugary

Morning Line: 4-1

Final Odds: 5-1

Sugary was last by 9 furlongs after the 1st quarter and Trever Denman noted the pace perfectly announcing to a packed @DelMarRacing house. "They are not going in any hurry upfront, in fact they are going real slow." While watching the race I was lighting my bet tickets on fire. Sugary did show some promise though for a play back.

Play back: Yes or No = Yes

  1. Showed life in a unfavorable pace set up

  2. In my opinion jockey did not look to use up horse.

Running home on the stretch and closing without looking to use much effort are a couple of my observations from watching the replay a few times.

The winner of the race (Clearly Gone, $7.60) snapped the almost gate to wire leader (Ellie Arroway), at the wire in a close photo.

Check out the trip note for Sugary in the result chart on Equibase.

Reference: Equibase

Play 2: Race 8 - #9 Katla

Morning Line: 4-1

Final Odds: 4-1

After a 22.88 pace set with Katla and Summer Rose they both pressed one another a bit more between the 1/4th pole and 1/2. Once Katla hit the the 3rd quarter clocking she quickly faded to finishing last.

Play Back: Yes or No = MAYBE

  1. She showed speed

  2. Maybe Carla Gaines goes short.

Reference: Equibase


Sunday's Plays at Del Mar Racing

Play 1 - Race 3 - #3 Austin's Weather (6-1)

Even with the long layoff my level of interest is high. With an inside post, past history of speed and a jockey who gives it all each go, why not take a shot a 6-1? The overall field does not look spectacular to me in the OC20k / N1X, going 5 furlong on the turf and I can be more acceptable of things after such a long break. The recent works show some hope as well.

Play 2 - Race 7 - Tigerhon (FR) (4-1)

In another 5 furlong turf race Tigerhon will be coming off a long layoff. The colt last raced overseas at Newcastle back in December on an all-weather surface. Mark Glatt has shown success with these shipping in types in the past and with a solid workout pattern coming in the ML odds are sufficient for a play from me. The three recent works on turf are nice to see, if the colt likes his new surroundings maybe he fires off a nice stateside debut.

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