Bernier: Del Mar pick three play for Thursday, July 16
RACE 6
BASMATI (2) possesses good early speed and should be forwardly placed in his Southern California return. His tactical advantage could prove to be the difference. RANULF (3) gets another half-furlong, and this Mark Glatt trainee continues to improve his form. The added distance could be the difference maker for him. MAGNA WARRIOR (5) makes the transition from the turf to the dirt, and it’s nice to see Bejarano get back aboard – he was the last pilot aboard for a Magna Warrior victory. NEXTDOORNEIGHBOR (10) hasn’t been seen since May, but if he fires off the bench he’s going to be a handful. Strictly from a Beyer Speed Figure standpoint he’s the horse to beat.
HORSES: 2,3,5,10
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RACE 7
FIGHT THRU (8) broke his maiden last time out at Santa Anita against Cal-bred maiden special weights, and today he’ll tackle winners. While there is concern that his win came in gate-to-wire fashion, this son of Kafwain is lightly raced and has all the room for improvement. He’ll have to earn it breaking from the post 9, but he has every right to repeat.
HORSES: 8
RACE 8
The traditional opening-day feature at Del Mar is the Oceanside Stakes, and there are two horses that would appear to be standouts. PAPACOOLPAPACOOL (10) exits the Penn Mile, a race that has already proven to be productive (winner Force the Pass came back to win the Belmont Derby next out). This Phil D’Amato trainee found himself much farther back in the Penn Mile than usual, which might have accounted for the less-than-stellar performance. Expect him to be in a more pace-pressing sort of position today. SOUL DRIVER (11) exploded last out in the Singletary at Santa Anita, and if he replicates the 94 Beyer Speed Figure he earned that day he’ll be extremely tough to deal with. In case one of the top two don’t get the job done, I’ll also include FUELED BY BOURBON (4). Although he was put up via disqualification going down the hill in his latest, I liked the way he galloped out and he possesses tactical speed in a race filled with horses that like to be forwardly placed. He could very easily trip out – the question will be whether he can stay the distance. He’s listed as 20-1 on the morning line, and I’m willing to find out.
HORSES: 4,10,11