7/20: Del Mar (Opening Day; 1st-10th)

[Kasept]

As hard to believe as it is, the summer racing season becomes reality this afternoon with Del Mar's renewal, and Friday with Saratoga's return. Both venues anticipate strong seasons. Officials like Joe Harper are cautiously optimistic about the prospects for the oceanside oval, while Charlie Hayward and NYRA stalwarts expect the Adirondack institution to thrive over the next 7 weeks.

Certainly the opening day cards for both fan favorite facilities get things off on the right foot. ATR will focus on Saratoga Thursday with our first broadcast of the season from Carloina Barbecue, but day one of Del Mar gets the spotlight today with visits from Rick Hammerle, Steve Davidowitz and Brad Free. Remember that the speed of the Del Mar polytrack is greatly influenced by heat and humidity. When temperatures are coolish, as anticipated today, the surface is tighter and has played honestly for speed. But when the mercury soars, the strip gets torpid and tiring, and favors the rallying type.

Welcome to summer... Enjoy it, because Labor Day will get here faster than you expect!


DEL MAR


PRE-SCRATCHES


1st: OC/N1X, 3+, 1m (.50 P5, Place Pick All, P3, DD, Super)

Note DMR introduction of 14% takeout, .50 P5..

Well-matched group for the opener; Will add new gelding #4 Times Gone By to the P5 play..

Most Likely: #1 Eye On Jacob 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #2 Galleta Monstruo 6-1 DH-5th
Next Best: #7 Price 5-1 WON ($10.40)
Exotics Use: #6 Kettle Corn 5-1 4th


2nd: CLM/N1Y, 3+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Inside pair are dropping, and then there is crazy ol' King Ledley. Group 2 placed as a juvenile in Ireland (Railway S.), he has earned $316k having won only once in 24 starts..

Most Likely: #8 Battle School 2-1 5th
Best Value: #1 One Nation 8-1 3rd
Next Best: #3 King Ledley 4-1 WON ($18.00)
Exotics Use: #5 Red Scare 5-2 6th


3rd: CLM, 3yo, 6.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 Sir Ed 5-2 6th
Next Best: #1 Devour 3-1 3rd
Best Value: #6 Regroup 5-1 5th
Super Add: #4 Giuseppe G 8-1 7th


4th: MSW, 2yo-F, 5f (P3, DD, Super)

Three of the 10 baby girls may own an advantage over the rest having made starts, but there are some sharp-working firsters in here including NY bred Weemissfrankie (Sunriver), Malabar Gold half brother Smoke Train (Medaglia d'Oro) and Punch Drunk from juvy specialist Peter Miller..

Most Likely: #10 Cha Cha Latte 7-2 5th
Best Value: #2 Smoke Train 20-1 8th
Exotics Use: #8 Sweet Nothings 6-1 4th
Super Add: #6 Punch Drunk 15-1 9th


5th: MSW, F&M-3+, 1m-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #8 Correspondent 5-2 5th
Best Value: #6 Honey's Prize 6-1 9th
Next Best: #10 Simply Carina 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #9 Born Lucky 5-1 2nd


<$75 .50 P5 Play:

1: 1-2
2: 1-8
3: 1-6-7
4: 2-5-6-7-8-10
5: 6-8

2x2x3x6x2 = 144 x .50 = $72


6th: CLM/N2L, 3+, 6f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #6 Get My Fix 3-1 6th
Next Best: #4 Memphis Mobster 6-1 7th
Best Value: #1 Back at You 12-1 9th
Super Add: #3 Me Salty 12-1 5th


7th: Cal-OC/N1X, F&M-3+, 6f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #7 You Can Dream 8-1 6th
Next Best: #2 Money Lover 3-1 WON ($8.00)
Exotics Use: #1 Queenie Marie 5-1 2nd
Super Add: #8 Jade Taylor 12-1 9th


8th: Oceanside, 3yo, 1m-T (P3, DD, Super)

Very good group for this standard meet opening feature. Mr. Commons a deserving fave, but there are plenty of salacious prices to consider with him..

Most Likely: #3 Mr. Commons 5-2 WON ($4.20)
Best Value: #2 Burns 12-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #8 Extensive 8-1 3rd
Super Add: #7 Robbie's War 20-1 4th

$1 Exacta (3-2) Paid $13.90
$1 Trifecta (3-2-8) Paid $71.60
$1 Superfecta (3-2-8-7) Paid $629.60


9th: CLM, 3+, 1m (DD, Super)

Best Value: #5 Deputiformer 12-1 2nd
Next Best: #8 Gilligan 4-1 WON ($9.80)
Exotics Use: #4 Whirling Thunder 3-1 3rd
Super Add: #10 North Fork 6-1 8th

$1 Pick 3 (2/3/8) Paid $52.40
$1 Exacta (8-4) Paid $22.00
$1 Trifecta (8-4-5) Paid $206.60


10th: MDN CLM, 3+, 5.5f (Super, Super Hi-5)

Best Value: #2 Omega Storm 6-1 8th
Next Best: #10 Ignited 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #5 Gahnzo Bob 3-1 WON ($6.00)
Super Add: #9 Warren's Tiger 6-1 9th
Hi-5 Play: #12 Don't Stop Ridin' 12-1 4th


<$75 P4 Play:

7: 1-2-7-8
8: 2-3-8
9: 4-5-8-10
10: 2-5-10

4x3x4x3 = 144 x .50 = $72

$0.50 Pick 4 (2/3,10,11,12,13,14/8/5,6,14) Paid $91.35


Good luck!
Steve