Del Mar Babies for Friday, Aug. 1
Race 4
5 ½ Furlongs, Polytrack
2-year-old colts and geldings
Field of 10
Purse: $75,000
Key contenders
3) Pulmarack
Pulmarack went off as the lukewarm favorite in his debut here on July 17 and he really didn’t do much running. After taking a little time to get into his stride, this son of Lucky Pulpit hung on his left lead down the lane and drifted about, eventually finishing a lackluster sixth. Jerry Hollendorfer will add blinkers here for his second start, and you’d have to think he’ll be much more focused this time around. Note the quicker workout he registered on July 25; if he’s as sharp as he was that day, he’ll be tough here.
FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is 34 for 196 over the past five years with 2-year-old second-time starters.
8) Spring for It
This Doug O’Neill trainee has been working very quickly over the Polytrack at Del Mar recently, and if the three-furlong blowout from the gate on July 27 is any indication, this colt is likely to be sent from the gate. Although rider Mario Gutierrez has gotten off to a very slow start at Del Mar, it goes without saying that he’s fared well in his career when riding for O’Neill and owner Paul Reddam (2012 Kentucky Derby, Preakness winner aboard I’ll Have Another). With the exception of Pulmarack it doesn’t appear as though there are any world beaters in this field, and it looks like Spring for It could be ready to roll at first asking.
FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer Doug O’Neill is 5 for 40 (15 ITM, $2.32) over the past three years with first-time starters at Del Mar.
10) Matty’s Tribal
This son of Tribal Rule has been working pretty steadily since the middle of June, and the most recent workout is really the one that should make people take notice. The four-furlong gate drill on July 29 really indicates that this John Sadler trainee is on his toes and ready to roll for his debut, and Sadler has been known to do well with 2-year-olds. Breaking from the outside post for a debut effort is never a bad thing, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see this horse figure prominently in the running. Martin Pedroza has the mount, and he’s gotten off to a wonderful start to this Del Mar meeting.
FORMULATOR FACT: The jockey-trainer combination of Martin Pedroza and John Sadler has gone 3 for 13 (6 ITM, $2.75 ROI) over the past three years in maiden special weight affairs.
The strategy
I think the Jerry Hollendorfer trainee Pulmarack will benefit greatly today with the addition of blinkers, and I’ll look to play him to win. On top of that, I’ll look to key him in exactas with both Spring for It and Matty’s Tribal. The plays look like this:
WIN wager on 3) Pulmarack at odds of 5-2 or greater
Exacta of 3 / 8, 10
Exacta of 8, 10 / 3
For information regarding all the runners in this field, be sure to check out Closer Looks in DRF GamePlan.