All Star Stakes Analysis For Del Mar, August 10

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La Jolla analysis by Brad Free

1-Freakin Rocket
2-Rosengold
3-Uno Dos Adios

Analysis

The third-place finish by FREAKIN ROCKET in the fast-pace Oceanside Stakes was terrific, and sets him up for the second leg of Del Mar’s three-race turf series for 3-year-olds. In the Oceanside, he was forwardly placed behind a hot pace, made the lead in the lane, then got swallowed in his first route/first on grass. In the La Jolla, he benefits from a softer pace scenario. If the race unfolds as expected, he should supply a stronger finishing kick. He will chase the only other front-runner. That is ROSENGOLD, who faded late in the second division of the Oceanside. But that fourth-place finish might be better than it appears. The one-two finishers rallied from last and next-to-last; the “race shape” worked against ROSENGOLD. He and the top choice could make it a parade. UNO DOS ADIOS has not quite figured out what he is doing, yet despite racing greenly he has won 2 of 5 including a smart N1X win last out in his first with blinkers. This stakes has been the target since that win in late June; he enters fresh and fit for his “class test.” Betting strategy At 4-1 or higher, a win bet on FREAKIN ROCKET is in order. And if the pace analysis turns out accurate, the two front-runners might dominate the race. Exacta box FREAKIN ROCKET and ROSENGOLD.

The $20 play:
$12 win FREAKIN ROCKET
$4 exacta box FREAKIN ROCKET and ROSENGOLD

La Jolla Stakes analysis by Michael Hammersly

Pure Loyalty
Freakin Rocket
Greeley Awesome

PURE LOYALTY just missed in a turf stakes at BHP June 23 when a sharp rallying 2nd, and then had a miserable trip on this course July 19. Not only has he worked superbly since (bullet :46.80 July 29) but he may fall into a great trip as he has stalking speed and there are a few others in here who figure to motor early and give him his kind of pace and target. You can hook him up with up-and-coming FREAKIN ROCKET who may have been asked a bit too much too soon in a division of the Oceanside here July 17 (first time turf, first time routing, first time in a stakes) though he made a strong move and kept on well for 3rd and might now be set for this type of assignment; and GREELEY AWESOME who just missed in the Oceanside (2nd beaten a neck) and figures to be finishing. Sadler obviously made a very nice claim here.

La Jolla Stakes analysis by Marty McGee

GREELEY AWESOME (#5, 9-2) Leparoux has really started flexing his turf muscles, having dominated the racing over the lawn Thurs. at Dmr. This colt with more-than-average experience for a 3-year-old is really coming around, as evidenced by that late-flying effort in a division of the Oceanside. Plenty of pace in here again, so just a little more follow-through would do.

The play: Win, #5; exacta/trifecta keys, 5 over 1, 7, 8. – Marty McGee