Del Mar Vulnerable Favorites, Live Longshots, and Spot Plays: July 26
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SPOT PLAYS/LIVE LONGSHOTS
The past four years, trainer peter Miller is 8-for-17 with debut 2-year-old maiden-claimers at Del Mar, according to DRF Formulator. Miller starts slow-working NIKKI ALLYN (#3, 5-1 pre-scratch morning line). Miller slow works do not always tell the tale. - Brad Free
ASCRIPTION (#9, 5-1) Outside draw a big plus for a well-prepped first-timer whose works at SA and the latest one at Dmr suggest he could be able to prevail at first asking, especially since O'Neill takes a realistic approach by slotting him for a tag right away. $80k yearling purchase is by a top-class sire and gets no excuse with a load-and-go break under Gutierrez. - Marty McGee
DARLING DOODLE (#4, 3-1) dueled and paid the price when last seen in a race like this at BHP May 18. She's been freshened by her Hall of Fame trainer and a return to stalking tactics, which she used so effectively early in her career, can get her back on track. She's worked well for this return. - Michael Hammersly
Del Mar Race 7, (10:00 ET) - LIVE LONGSHOT
Trainer Cody Autrey is winning races. He starts bomber GRANDSTAND (#8, 20-1). His recent allowance was designed as a prep for this main-track marathon. Bombs away. - Brad Free
PEARL DE VERE (#2, 6-1) was claimed at Churchill Downs for $30,000 and was brought west and now seeks to capitalize with the shipping to Dmr bonus; has natural speed and already crossed the wire first in a miaden race on Polytrack, only to be disqualified for interference. - Byron King
VULNERABLE FAVORITES
SALT POWER (#3, 9-5)
Just who says this Cal-bred homebred has to win on the drop in for a first tag after 2 tries vs. state-bred MSW company? Yes his Beyers are tops, but surely one or more of these others are primed for a life's best in their Dmr debut. Has enough speed to figure in for a while and perhaps to hold part for the verticals, but this spot fairly begs for something a little more imaginative in the top slot. – Marty McGee
Although on the board in two starts - both vs. richer - HOLIDAY N NEWPORT (#3, 7-2) looks beatable in the nightcap, dropping off the claim. She hasn't raced since May 31, and shows gaps in published works; last breeze was the slowest of 15 for a half-mile at Del Mar on July 18. - Byron King
