Del Mar Vulnerable Favorites, Live Longshots, and Spot Plays: August 10
This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.
SPOT PLAYS AND LIVE LONGSHOTS
No knocks on BLUE TONE (#5, 5-2), but comebacker NORTHERN IOWA (#9, 8-1) is a good horse eligible to N1X only due to bad racing luck last year. Trainer Vladimir Cerin is due to pop at a price. - Brad Free
HOLY LUTE (#3, 4-1) received surprising support in his debut, raced wide and ran evenly. It was the ideal prep for a maiden likely to jump up with a big effort second time out. He must beat favorites IMPERIAL FORTUNE (#4, 5-2) and PROVEN WARRIOR (#2, 5-1). - Brad Free
WONDERFUL UNION (#8, 3-1) This $150k purchase debuts after exceedingly careful prep and happens to draw favorably toward the outer with the ready-to-heat-back-up Talamo taking the call. Pedigree to be a fast one, and a.m. drills suggest he's all set; Ellis stats with first-timers not a true indicator of his prowess. Tote clues would help, and we're confident the money will show for this guy. – Marty McGee
Realize barn doesn't win much with 1sters but WONDERFUL UNION (#8, 3-1), gelded for belated debut, certainly looks ready for something decent right out of the box. Some in race already produced big figs, which will help price here. - Marcus Hersh
EXCLUDE (#10, 10-1) has his work cut out for him taking on a very talented favorite (Imperial Fortune) but that actually helps your price. Son of HOY Tiznow cost $550K at auction and while his first 2 starts weren't very pretty he's been freshened by a Hall of Fame trainer and boasts some superb recent works. It's great to see that despite those first 2 dull outings there's no panicky drop by Mandella, who also adds blinkers (25%). - Michael Hammersly
DICE FLAVOR (#8, 6-1) ran a career-best 92 Beyer in the Swaps, his fourth consecutive race in a graded stake; although more accomplished on synthetics, his turf efforts when routing over the winter were deceptively good. – Byron King
The better-than-looked effort last out by FREAKIN ROCKET (#7, 7-2) sets him up for an overlay in a turf route with a lot less speed than he met last time. - Brad Free
VULNERABLE FAVORITES
SHE'S ALL YOURS (#5, 5-2) The honest veteran SHE'S ALL YOURS benefitted from a speed bias in her opening-week victory. Since then, the bias is gone and she faces a ton of opposing speed. She is the horse to beat, but probably not the horse to bet. - Brad Free
FREAKIN ROCKET (#7, 7-2) was in a dream stalking position in a division of the Oceanside in his first start on turf, but came up empty in the lane and finished third; could have stamina limitations. - Byron King
WILDCAT CANDY (#6, 3-1) now makes second start off the 16 month layoff and stretches out to seven furlongs; think there are about 6-7 other legitimate contenders here so no need to go short in this maiden claimer. - Chuck Kuehhas
