RT’s Spot Plays
09.10.22
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Del Mar R7|Post Time: 7:18 pm ET
Turf 1 Mile|2YO Fillies Juvenile Futurity Turf Stakes|Purse: $100K|
Eleven 2yo fillies line up for this 11th rendition of what was the Oak Tree Stakes. Last year’s winning trainer, Doug O’Neill, has two installed here with 1-Camilla (20/1) and 11-Pride Of The Nile (20/1). Pride Of The Nile is unraced and seemingly the better of the two given her works. However, sire Pioneer Of The Nile is not a solid fit historically for this group, with a 19% win rate and the best foal hitting an 81 Equibase score. With three Irish breds entered today, Phil D’Amato looks for his second win after bringing in Bowie’s Hero in 2016. On that day, in 2016, D’Amato had three entered as well, so perhaps the past predicates the future? D’Amato’s entries are,
5-Thebestisyettobe (4/1) who won at first asking at Gowran in Ireland before crossing the pond. Her two works have been pedestrian, and her win came over a soft track. Even with Flavien Prat, and at this short price, I am treading lightly. 7-Comanche Country (3/1) is the most interesting of the three. She broke her maiden in her U.S. bow on 7/30, going off as the favorite after two races at Naas in Ireland, including a 17K msw and $71K Group 3 race, where she was 7th of 7. This regally bred filly is by Highland Reel, a Group 1 winner in Europe and a son of distance specialist Galileo. Her broodmare grandsire is by the Aussie leader Danehill, and her works have been less than stellar since breaking maiden, yet she retains turf specialist Umberto Rispoli. 4-Excelia (8/1) is the last of D’Amato’s trio and makes her stateside debut today. Is by another Danehill progeny Exceed And Excel, a 12/7-1-0 winner down under in sprints. He dam, Naruko won only one race in five tries and that was at a mile. The choice and one to beat is 6-Havana Angel (5/2) only if she runs to her European form. Given her last work of :48.4 with the dogs up, she seems ready.
Del Mar R8|Post Time: 7:48 pm ET
The Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante Stakes
Dirt 7 Furlongs|2YO|Purse: $300K|
Can the latest buzz wonder filly 6-Home Cooking (9/5) be beat today? With her last win at 5.5 furlongs by 9.25 lengths and recent 1:12.2 work, she sure looks primed for a corker. Bob Baffert is 38% with 2yo’s at Del Mar this summer and her pedigree suggests she can easily get the distance. 1-Vegas Magic (3/1) is going for four in a row, and she can be a factor. I am going with 5-Fast And Shiny (8/1) another Baffert trainee who put away her competition in her only race by fighting tough down the stretch to get up by 1.5 lengths. I love that effort and the fact she came out of it well, working two :59 gate works in the morning.