Bernier: How I'd play Del Mar for Sunday, July 17
Opening weekend at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is a horseplayer’s signal that summer has officially begun (regardless of the June 20 “official” start to the summer season). Sunday represents day three of the summer meeting at Del Mar, and it’s highlighted by the Grade 2 Eddie Read – a nine furlong turf event that features one of the saltiest fields Southern California has seen this year. I’ll look to play the late double on Saturday, linking the Eddie Read with the finale, a $16,000 claiming event for non-winners of two races lifetime.
RACE 9 – G2 EDDIE READ
The field assembled for the Grade 2 Eddie Read is a stellar one, and many people will be viewing MIDNIGHT STORM (5) as the horse to beat. I loved him headed into his most recent start at Santa Anita in the G1 Shoemaker Mile; however, I’m way against him today. While he may work out the best trip in the field, I believe he’s best at a flat mile. Today’s nine-furlong distance may be pushing it a bit and, from an odds standpoint, he feels like the ultimate, “last time was the time” kind of horse. I’ll look to key in on Peter Eurton’s runner, ASHLEYLUVSSUGAR (1), in the first half of this late double. His return to the races following a long layoff was strong, and he earned a legitimate Beyer Speed Figure in the process (104). This son of Game Plan has always done better at longer distances, and the stretch to nine furlongs should work to his advantage. His mid-pack running style should work beautifully in a heat that is littered with early pace. I’ll single Ashleyluvssugar in the opening leg of the late double at Del Mar on Sunday.
RACE 10 – CLM 16000 N2L
In a race that appears to lack certified early foot, I’ll use two horses that figure to be involved from the very beginning. FANS ON THE RUN (3) gets significant class relief dropping from the open $20K level into the conditioned $16K level, and that alone may be enough to get him over the hump. Joe Talamo takes the mount for Bill Spawr, and it would be silly to leave a horse like this off of any tickets. KRISTI’S COPILOT (4) may be the speed-of-the-speed in Sunday’s nightcap, and the presence of Rafael Bejarano shouldn’t go overlooked. This son of Lucky Pulpit has shown legitimate early foot in numerous instances throughout his career, and the class relief he receives here may allow him to shake loose early. If the main track is playing anything like it was last fall (heavily favored early speed), Kristi’s Copilot could end this race rather quickly with a sharp break.
THE PLAY: $5 Late Daily Double
RACE 9: 1
RACE 10: 3, 4
1 / 3, 4 = $10