DRF Plus Graded Stakes Analysis: Del Mar Handicap

BENCH LIGHT was no match for BIG JOHN B when he chased that foe on the Santa Anita turf June 29, finishing fourth, beaten 3 1/2 lengths. BIG JOHN B showed he’s indeed come into his own as he next came here and won a laugher over optional claimers at this distance July 30, romping home by 7 1/4 lengths. So, on the surface of it BENCH LIGHT can’t beat BIG JOHN B. However, BENCH LIGHT likewise came out of that June 29 race with a big move forward and like BIG JOHN B it came on this course at this trip vs. optional claimers as he blasted them by 6 1/4 lengths. The difference for this is that BIG JOHN B has now run three straight big races so he may well have peaked. BENCH LIGHT, on the other hand, comes off that one explosive performance and may well have another forward move left in him. And best of all, BIG JOHN B’s recent record and the fact he easily beat BENCH LIGHT June 29, along with some strong other runners, means BENCH LIGHT’s price is going to stay more than attractive. He opens at 6-1 on the morning line and it’s hard to fathom him going much shorter than that as there is ample power lined up against him. BENCH LIGHT’s Beyer for his big July 24 win was 93, just one notch below what BIG JOHN B earned for his July 30 romp (94). In other words, he fits right alongside that foe and again their prices will be disparate. BENCH LIGHT also appears to have some versatility, which can give his rider options. He bided his time early off a fast pace in that July 24 race but note last summer and fall at least a couple starts where he had the speed to prompt the pace.

BIG JOHN B is the horse to beat. As noted, he comes off a smashing win over this course at this trip and easily beat BENCH LIGHT two back. It’s difficult to believe he won’t fire again but the price gap between the two pushes us toward BENCH LIGHT, though BIG JOHN B certainly has to be used in the exotics. He opens at 9-2 but the feeling here is he’ll got shorter and will, in fact, be favored.

QUICK CASANOVA (5-1 on the ML) is another who figures as a must-use. The one-time South American hotshot (he was a Grade 1 winner there) he emerged as one of the top two or three turf stayers on the West Coast this spring at Santa Anita, winning the Grade 3 Last Tycoon, running third in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham and second in the Grade 2 San Juan Capistrano. He’s been freshened but is surely at his best playing this type of distance game. He’s never run here, yes, but he’s run well on turf and dirt in Chile, dirt in Argentina, Belmont turf, Saratoga turf and Santa Anita turf so there’s every reason to believe he’ll like it here.

FIRE WITH FIRE (7-2 favotie on the ML) was probably the OTHER best stayer on this circuit during the Santa Anita meet. The gelding’s speed and versatility has served him well. He led all the way to win the Grade 2 San Luis Rey, set the pace before finishing a sharp second to QUICK CASABLANCA (beaten just a head) in the Grade 3 Last Tycoon and then rallied from well off the pace to win the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham. He was fifth in this race last after pressing the pace but he looks to be a better horse now than he was then. UNBRIDLED COMMAND has upset/price potential (12-1 on the ML). The 5-year-old looked like a real comer when the easily won the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby in November 2012. He backed it up with a superb third in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap in February 2013, finishing behind Point of Entry (top-class turfer with multiple Grade 1 wins) and Animal Kingdom (won Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, Grade 1 Dubai World Cup, multiple Grade 1 placed on turf, too).

But then something went awry as UNBRIDLED COMMAND wasn’t seen for over 16 months. When he resurfaced at Santa Anita June 21 he was no factor (eighth) against optional claimers. Still, they thought enough of him to next try the Grade 1 Eddie Read here July 20. Again, he was no threat (ran fifth) but that run did represent a forward move and now there’s no layoff since and they feel good enough about him to try another graded stakes. So, with those two outings under his belt he may be ready to get back on track. He also gets blinkers.