Bernier: Sizing up Sunday's juvenile races at Del Mar
DRF handicapper Matt Bernier looks at the races for juveniles Sunday at Del Mar.
Matt BernierJul 26, 2014
DRF handicapper Matt Bernier looks at the races for juveniles Sunday at Del Mar.
Make the Sun Shine cost owner John Oxley a pretty penny in March, as she sold for $700,000. She went off as the betting favorite in her debut at Churchill Downs on June 15, and she ran very respectably. After displaying good early speed, she changed leads nicely at the top of the lane and unfortunately got a bit short at the end. With that effort under her belt, I’m expecting this Mark Casse trainee to take a big step forward.
DRF handicapper Dan Illman takes a closer look at the Saratoga babies races.
Using two horses only in leg 3, race 10 of the late pick four – TONALIST and WICKED STRONG – keeps this pretty much in the manageable range, though I would prefer a less-expensive play.
Saturday’s Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga is down to a field of six with the early scratch of Cousin Stephen, who ran ninth in the Curlin Stakes on Friday. The remaining half-dozen fall into three groups of two – two favorites, two challengers, and two outsiders.
The late part of Saturday’s Saratoga card seems like it could break obvious. With Rock Fall scratching from the Amsterdam, the eighth race, the price on my longshot play, Tiznowforamerica, is gone. Captain Serious will now be the Amsterdam favorite and will be a handful as the potential controlling speed.
The pick six Saturday at Del Mar will begin with $77,661 already in the pool due to a carryover from Friday. The pick six sequence covers races 5-10.
A competitive program Saturday at Del Mar includes a pair of appealing pick three sequences. They will not break the bank. Total cost: $10.
Trying to leverage two horses I like, RANKHASPRIVILEGES (#1) in race 5 and CELEBRATED TALENT (#3) in race 7. The former is 12-1 on the morning line, the latter 8-1, and getting either home would ensure a healthy profit here.
There is one horse in particular in this six-furlong sprint whom I’ve been against throughout his young career, and today is no different. That horse is Cherubim. This son of Henny Hughes is wickedly fast, but he’s yet to show that he can finish the deal against winners and continues to burn money.