Del Mar Plays for Saturday, November 22, 2014

Del Mar Plays for Saturday, November 22, 2014:  Hello and welcome back to where the Turf meets the Surf as we look at sunny Del Mar again this weekend. Last Saturday some major bombs came in at Del Mar in Races 6-9 and Sigi barely missed hitting the pick 3 by a head. Wow.

We started with Race #6 in which his top pick and my third pick #2 American Sun came in first to the tune of $9.60. My top pick the #1 Cadet Roni was a scratch the night before so I’ll have to keep on eye on her as I think she’ll run big. Race #7 both our top pick #1 Mr. Lexis was a gate scratch so I would have had to settle for the “consolation” pick 3 if I hit Race 8. My second choice the #2 Toledo Eddie fought hard against Sigi’s third pick the #11 Play Hard To Get who won by 3/4 of a length for $11.30. Wowzers, he was alive to a nice pick 3. The Bob Hope Stakes Race 8, Sigi’s top pick scratched the #4 Prime Engine who was my third pick.   My top pick the #3 gave it up at the 16th pole and quit. Our second pick #6 Alright Alright fought gamely but lost to the #8 No Problem who ran a smashing race for $17.10. Some people nailed quite a nice pick 3 for $4,500 and change. What a day and that one sent me to the corner bar for a dirty martini after my college team lost as well.

This weekend we are going to take a look at Races #6-8 which includes the (GIII) Red Carpet Handicap $100,000 for 3-year-olds and up on the lawn running 1 3/8 miles which is race #8.

Kari’s Picks: 

Race #6: Starter Allowance $16,000 One Mile – Turf: #7,10,4
Los Bambinos gets jockey Bejarano up and that’s a positive. He has hit the board his last 5 races. Last out 11/9 was second going a mile on the turf at Del Mar losing to Tigah and exiting the 12th hole. Was claimed from last race and has a win going a mile on the turf at Santa Anita as well on 10/16. Ariba Ariba!! . #10 Buymeabond ran 4th last out for the Kruljac barn at Santa Anita 10/19 where he bobbled at the start going a mile on the turf and was outfinished for 4th. He was claimed by Hollendorfer from that race, so game on! This son of Langfuhr won prior at Golden Gate by 3/4 length at this same distance on the turf 8/30 and also won at a mile on the turf at Santa Rose 8/3. Nakatani has been killing me on the turf lately but here’s to hoping. #4 Fighter Sqaundron last out was 3rd to Los Bambinos, whom I also like here, on 10/14 going a mile on the turf at Santa Anita. His last couple of races he’s gotten there a little too late and outfinished. He hasn’t been off the board once since being claimed from the Stidham barn and running SoCal circuit. First for R.Hess and now for D’Amato. Has won at a mile on the turf at Arlington Park for the Stidham barn back in June, was brought to Del Mar and claimed. With a better trip here, he stands a great chance to win.

Race #7: Allowance Opt. Claiming $62,500 One Mile- All Weather: #1,2
I’ve been on the Mizzen Mast son Bailoutbobby for a while. He finally got a nice win at Santa Anita going a mile on the turf on 11/2 where he just got up in time at the wire. I like that the connections are taking a shot again at the all-weather with him. He ran June 29th in the (GIII) Cougar Stakes going 1 1/2 on the all-weather at Del Mar where he failed to rally but hit 4th. He has won at Woodbine going 1 1/16 a few back on the poly. Shortening up to a mile on the all-weather, I like it. I also dig the Birdstone kid here Bird E House for the EXACT same reasons Sigi does below so I won’t repeat.

Race #8: (GIII) Red Carpet Handicap 1 3/8 Turf for Fillies & Mares 3 and up: #10,8,6 (1)
From what I’ve seen H.G.Motion looks pretty loaded coming into this Del Mar meet. I really like the #1 but not her being the favorite and shipping but will use if there is a scratch. I’ll be using a few bombs here. First, I’m going with #10 Lady Of Gold for the top shot. The Medaglia d’Oro mare is coming from Woodbine and last out in the (GIII) Maple Leaf Stakes ran 1 1/4 on the poly where she was 4 & 5 wide and full on charging for a near miss for 2nd. Gets the red-hot Desormeaux up to ride and could sit in a nice stalking-trip to win. The daughter of Hat Trick the #8 Three Hearts is tossing the hood and recently worked 6f on the Del Mar turf, which I really dig. Last out she was 4th on September 1st at Saratoga going 1 1/8 on the turf, in which Lady Of Gold finished 2nd in that race. So these 2 have faced each other before.   She gets Talamo riding and somehow recently moved to the Drysdale barn which I dig. I liked #6 Bee Brave‘s race three back on this track where she won at 1 1/16 on the turf 8/24. She seems to find trouble but could be very dangerous here with a nice price and added real-estate. She gets Garcia up who has been riding very well this meet.

Kari’s Play:
I’m going to be post my play the day of the race. Often times Sigi and I hit different races and I’ve had luck combining our picks. So I will post my plays on Twitter Saturday morning after scratches. Most likely play, going big for moi: Pick 3 starting R6: 4,10,7/1,2/10,8,6,9 for a whopping $24.00.

Sigi’s Picks:

Race #6: 10,7
Despite a bobble at the start and some troubles in the stretch in his last race, Buymeabond was able to finish fourth. After that effort, he has been working very well, plus he’s getting a new rider Corey Nakatani. Los Bambinos is a versatile horse who runs well on all the surfaces. He should be the favorite of the race, since his last race on the turf was pretty good.

Race #7: 2
Bird E House returned from a 4 month layoff at Santa Anita with a decent effort, running evenly in the stretch. After that race, he recorded several great workouts and looks ready to win in California. He’s a son of Birdstone, so the polytrack should not be a problem. Curiously, the result of his last four races are: first, fifth, first, fifth. Now will he win? I say yes!

Race #8: 1,9,6
The Red Carpet Handicap is over 1 3/8 mile on the turf so we are looking for those ladies who can handle the distance. Appealing Cat‘s last race was extremely good, over 1 1/2 mile. Due to Napravniks retirement, now her rider will be Rafael Bejarano. Usually the Euro runners have the stamina to run all day and Lady Pimpernel is not the exception. She won a Listed in Europe over 10 furlongs and that’s enough to handle the distance in the United States. The longshot of the day could be Bee Brave. She didn’t have a good trip but closed very well last out. Now with a clean trip and more ground, she’s really dangerous at a good price.

Sigi’s Play:
I’m playing a pick 3 starting in Race #6:
6) 10,7
7) 2
8) 1,9,6
I’m also playing the #2 Bird E House to win-place in Race #7

Good luck to everyone and thank you Sigi for picking some winners. You have been killing it lately so let’s keep it up. Safe run everyone!