We have three plays on this September Sunday, all at Del Mar, where it is closing day. They will close the books on another summer out West; we are ready for fall as well, but will try to savor the change of seasons the best way we know how, which is betting on horses running in circles. We expect fast dirt and firm turf in all races; let’s go.
Del Mar, Race 7, 7:39 pm ET
Grade 3 Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes, 1 mile, Turf, 2-Year-Olds
Nine juveniles line up to run a turf mile in this Grade 2 in Southern California. We’re all in on 5-Sea Singer, who makes his North American debut in this spot. He began his career in his native Ireland, where he ran in the big leagues, at Leopardstown and the Curragh, and broke his maiden in his last start, defeating 11 rivals in a 7 furlong race over good ground. With the American contingent here looking somewhere between average and weak, Sea Singer looks poised to prevail here. Look for him to mid-pack early, and rolling late; we will bet him to win at 6-1. The bet: Del Mar, Race 7, $40 to win on 5-Sea Singer.
Del Mar, Race 8, 8:10 pm ET
Allowance/Optional Claiming, 1 mile, Dirt, 3 & Up
An interesting group of nine allowance runners lines up for this mile dirt race. We like 4-Eastside Cool, a 5-year-old gelding who makes his first start for trainer Kristin Mulhall, who claimed him for $62,500 out of a race at Churchill Downs in June. He faced some salty company in the Bluegrass State – those higher-level claiming races in Kentucky are pretty tough – so we think he can handle his rivals today, and we also like that Mulhall wins at a robust 30% clip with horses making their first start off a claim. We will bet Eastside Cool to win at 4-1. The bet: Del Mar, Race 8, $40 to win on 4-Eastside Cool.
Del Mar, Race 9, 8:40 pm ET
Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity, 7 furlongs, Dirt, 2-Year-Olds
The Del Mar Futurity drew a field of seven. The headliner of the group is 1-Prince of Monaco, who is undefeated and unchallenged in two career starts, including in his last, when he won the Best Pal Stakes last month in exceptionally fast time.
On paper, Prince of Monaco certainly looks the best, but he’ll be 1/5, and we are consequently taking a swing against him, and will do so with 4-Raging Torrent, who was no match for the favorite in the Best Pal, finishing third, but who has worked exceptionally well since, a suggestion that he is maturing physically, and has improved enough to give Prince of Monaco a battle today. We will bet Raging Torrent to win at 5-1. The bet: Del Mar, Race 9, $40 to win on 4-Raging Torrent.
That’s all for today. Until the next time, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.