Del Mar Vulnerable Favorites, Live Longshots, and Spot Plays: July 25
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SPOT PLAYS/LIVE LONGSHOTS
SEBASTIAN FLYTE (#5, 5-1) was once good enough to be Grade 1-placed. While he's no longer that horse, he did show there's plenty of gas in the tank at BHP June 8 when after over 3 months off he dropped in for $25K and rallied smartly to win. He's worked nicely since and gets a multiple-level class hike, a great sign, Oh, and the only other time he ran here, he won. - Michael Hammersly
FACOLTOSA (#1, 9-2) led thoroughout in defeating a similar field at Hollywood in May, and although unraced since, looks ready to fire fresh; first or second in 9 of 18 starts, and the vast majority of those weren't claiming races like this one. - Byron King
Well-bred PATRIOT C H (#2, 6-1 pre-scratch line) is a stretch-out gamble, despite a dull debut. Carla Gaines-trained second-start maidens have a long history of improving; this Redattore filly is bred to route (sibling graded winner Lucky J H). - Brad Free
PATRIOT C H (#2, 6-1) Put a squiggly line through that first try up at Hollywood Park and consider that this is a brand new ballgame for this Harris Farms homebred. 4yo filly now stretches out while switching to the grass and drawing favorably toward the inner with the one race and three more works under her belt from highly capable conditioner. Vast improvement not to be unexpected. - Marty McGee
VULNERABLE FAVORITE
DANDEREK (#7, 5-2) certainly merits respect as he came back after a year on the bench to be a strong 2nd for $25K at BHP June 8. Hollendorfer not only saw fit to claim him but brings him back in a spot where he can't be claimed away and lures Bejarano. That being said, it's a course he's never seen and while speed is his main weapon there's ample other speed to hound him early. - Michael Hammersly
