Del Mar babies for Sunday, Aug. 24
Race 6
Maiden special weight
2-year-old fillies
6 furlongs, Polytrack
Purse: $75,000
Key Contenders
5) Sweeter Thancandy
Although trainer Mark Glatt’s numbers with 2-year-old first-time starters are horrific over the past five years (0 for 46), it’s hard to shake the pedigree that this filly brings to the table for her debut. If she can channel her parents’ ability on the racetrack, she’ll be a handful for these gals. The recent work tab seems reasonable, and she’s been working long enough where her fitness level can’t be much of a concern.
FORMULATOR FACT: Sweeter Thancandy’s dam, Czechers, won 5 of 23 career starts, including 2 of 9 on synthetics.
9) Sandy’s Song
This daughter of First Samurai displayed solid early speed in her debut here Aug. 2 before fading late, and a logical step forward here in her second go would make her the horse to beat. Whenever a first-time starter displays that sort of quality speed, she always needs to be considered a major player for her second start – especially in races featuring numerous runners who don’t have any racing experience. If she builds off the unveiling, she’ll be tough here.
FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer Cody Autrey is 3 for 16 (9 in the money, $2.92 return on investment) over the past five years with 2-year-old second-time starters.
1) Ritzy Flag
It’s generally never a positive thing when a Bob Baffert-trained first-time starter takes little to no money, but such was the case here Aug. 2, when this miss ran a decent fifth. Although she didn’t win, it was encouraging to see that she was capable of passing horses on the track, and she projects to have a strong chance to take a step forward and graduate here. The fact that Martin Garcia doesn’t jump off this runner after that rather dull performance is a vote of confidence, and it’s not as though Baffert hasn’t had similar success with his runners in these kinds of spots in the past.
FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Baffert’s 2-year-olds have gone 7 for 25 when making their second career starts and adding blinkers for the first time.
The Strategy
I think all three of these fillies are talented. Accordingly, my play will be a three-horse exacta box; here’s the play: EXACTA BOX of 1, 5, 9.