Free: Del Mar daily double for Saturday, Aug. 8
DEL MAR, Calif. – Daily doubles get little attention, even though the wager is one of the least expensive exotics on the Del Mar betting menu.
Only the pick five is less expensive than the double. Takeout for the pick five is 14 percent; takeout for daily doubles is 20 percent. Every other multiple-race wager costs 23.68 percent. That is 18 percent higher (3.68 divided by 20) than doubles.
Bettors are tuned into the nuances of takeout, and the double has increased in popularity. Last summer, daily-double pools accounted for 4.2 percent of total Del Mar handle. More than $14.5 million was wagered in daily doubles, $1.8 million more than the pick six ($12.7 million).
Chasing pick-six rainbows is entertaining for bettors able to sustain extended losing streaks. But most horseplayers need to cash an occasional ticket to stay afloat. The pick-X action Saturday at Del Mar is a “pick two” using one horse each in two races.
The recommended $2 daily double on races 2-3 will not return much if it does win. But if the will-pay is $15, that would be good enough.
Race 2
The lowest class level for winners at Del Mar is $16,000 claiming, non-winners of two races. That is the race 2 sprint for fillies and mares. The weak race includes the most probable winner on the card.
WARREN’S DIXI BELL drops for the first time to the bottom level. The race is her first start in two months; her figures tower over the field. Furthermore, she ran the best race of her career under jockey Rafael Bejarano at the same 5 1/2-furlong trip.
Low-quality races often are the easiest to handicap because so many in the field have minimal ability. That is what race 2 looks like. Warren’s Dixi Bell, the 5-2 program favorite, looks like a standout.
Race 3
First-time starters breaking from the rail are up against it. That is one of the challenges facing the highly regarded 2-year-old YOUNG BRIAN in this 6 1/2-furlong sprint.
However, the Hard Spun colt has above-average ability. That is based on his 21.20-second breeze at a February sale of 2-year-olds and subsequent workouts at the racetrack.
Plans originally called for Young Brian to be sold by breeder John Liviakis. But after the impressive preview breeze, Liviakis bought back Young Brian for $500,000.
Bejarano has been working the colt regularly and will ride him. The colt, trained by Phil D’Amato, has outworked good company and is “live” first time out. Young Brian is the 5-2 favorite.
The bet, $2 daily double
Race 2: Warren’s Dixi Bell
to
Race 3: Young Brian