2013 Del Mar Handicap Turf; Hold On Mama Needs New Shoes

2013 Del Mar Handicap Turf; Hold On Mama Needs New Shoes: The “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge race is for 2013 Breeders’ Cup Turf for thoroughbreds 3 years-old and up on the turf at 1 3/8 miles at Del Mar Racecourse, in Del Mar, California with a purse of $200,000. The Del Mar Handicap is set for Saturday, August 24th and is the 8th race of the day with a start time of 5:40 PM PDT.

We have a field of seven here lined up to try and win a berth for the Breeder’s Cup “Win and You’re In” challenge for a gate start in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Turf.

This is a small field and I’m going with a few foreigners here as I always like them on the turf.

This Irish bred lad Vagabond Shoes, trained by John Sadler, was second last out to Jeranimo in the Eddie Read Stakes here at Del Mar on July 18, 2013. Prior to that he was second in an Optional Claimer at Del Mar on May 25, 2013. He’s the elder of the group here, a 6 year-old gelding, and I think he may be in form again and can hit the board. I’d like to see the old guy of the group get a win here. Vagabond Shoes exits post #7 with V. Espinoza up in the saddle.

The 4 year-old Brazilian Mano, Holding Glory, is a horse I really like in here shooting from the #2 hole with C.Sutherland-Kruse in the irons. He’s trained by A.C.Avila and is coming in here to race for the second time in the United States. Last out, his first time racing here, Holding Glory ran in an Optional Claiming race at Del Mar on August 3rd, 2013 and finished second, so I think he was getting his feet wet there. Prior to that he won the Grand Premio at the Gavea racetrack in Brazil, South America. Holding Glory raced seven times with 4 firsts and 2 seconds. This young guy looks ready to roll to me.

Lucayan the 4 year-old Homme from France is trained by Neil Drysdale and gets Go-Go, Garrett Gomez up for the ride from post #1. He was one of my picks for the Eddie Read Stakes and was scratched. Last out he was third in the Optional Claimer at Del Mar on August 1, 2013. I see that one as a trial run for this race. Prior to that he was 5th in the June 29th Shoemaker Mile (GI) behind Obviously.

Well, this is such a small field for the 2013 Del Mar Handicap and my pick Holding Glory is also listed to go in the Del Mar Pacific Classic. Why I ask? I’m guessing they really want him in the Breeders’ Cup and a paid berth is the golden ticket. Once they are in, they can pick the race they want to enter. However, that is such a tough field I question that one. If he runs in here Holding Glory, Vagabond Shoes and Lucayan can come in any order for me. Old Time Hockey is intriguing as the local homefry here, if he gets decent odds he may be a play. This gal needs some new shoes to wear to the 2013 Breeders’ Cup barnside so let’s make some money this weekend!

Good luck to the boys and their connections, safe run!

2013 Del Mar Handicap Post Positions & Odds
1. Lucayan 7/2 (FR) G.Gomez/N.D.Drysdale
2. Holding Glory 5/1 (BRZ) C.Sutherland-Kruse/A.C.Avila
3. Mr. T Bird 9/2 R.Bejarano/M.Puype
4. Old Time Hockey 6/1 G.Stevens/T.Proctor
5. Huntsville 10/1 C.S.Nakatani/B.Abrams
6. Fire With Fire 7/2 J.Talamo/N.D.Drysdale
7. Vagabond Shoes 5/2 V.Espinoza/J.W.Sadler
Updated Results:
7, 1, 5, 4, 6, 3