Del Mar: Day 2 analysis and video
No stakes races on the second day of the 2011 Del Mar meet but still plenty of intrigue and, more important, some decent betting races. The DRF.com Race of the Day is No. 6, a $65,000, one-mile optional claimer on turf for fillies and mares (3-year-olds and up).
Watch the horse-by-horse analysis form Dan Illman and Mike Beer and scroll down to get more advice from DRF.com's Brad Free and the Wizard.
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Brad Free on Race 6
1. Butterfly Beach
2. Reddy Go Jaylo
3. Diamond Journey
The outside post could be a deal-breaker for BUTTERFLY BEACH, stuck out in post 10 going a mile on turf. Yet it is not impossible to win from out there. Since the 2000 meet, post 10 going one mile on Del Mar turf is 8-for-96 (8 percent), while post 9 is 16-for-171 (9 percent). It won't be easy, yet BUTTERFLY BEACH was super-impressive last time when she stretched out for her second career start. It was a devastating five and one-half length victory setting a fast pace. If she can avoid losing ground or going too fast early, she can win right back. And if she had a better post, she might be a slam dunk. Instead, the fillies in posts 1-2 will give her a battle. REDDY GO JAYLO, stablemate of the top choice, has been freshened two months. She finished more than five clear of third last out at this level, each race has been better than the one before, and she should get a good trip saving ground just off the speed. DIAMOND JOURNEY improved a ton first off the claim by Mike Mitchell, winning a similar Calbred N1X on the main track over next-out winner Screaming Regal. 'JOURNEY returns at the same level while not eligible to be claimed this time (confident move), and if she handles grass she could win right back.
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The Wizard's free pick of the day
Race 6 at Del Mar
PACE SCENARIO: Cees Jewel who is cheap speed is expected to contest the lead early with Rebecca assuming command whenever Baze lets her loose. Butterfly Beach will stalk close to the leaders entering the backstretch. The fractions should be honest. CLICK HERE FOR THE WIZARD'S FREE PICK.
DRF's Best Bet
Race 7: After leading at the furlong pole two consecutive starts in Grade 1 and Grade 2 races, SHE'S CHEEKY dips into an allowance race and shortens to a sprint. She worked super since finishing only two lengths behind Blind Luck; her trainer has been on a roll. Pete Eurton's last six starters produced two wins, four seconds. -- Brad Free