Free's preview: Starters look to recover from bad trips

DEL MAR, Calif. – The turf course played safe and fair Saturday at Del Mar. The speed backed up, and the closers closed. To be fair, the La Jolla winner Enterprising did not merely close – he exploded. It was another “wow” performance. Now is time to preview Sunday.

Race 1: Bad trip

Want to see what a bad trip looks like? Check out the replay of Tatum’s Gold in race 4 July 26 at Del Mar.

First, she took up at the half-mile pole. Then, jockey Fernando Perez cut her loose with a wild, five-wide move on the turn. The 2-year-old weakened in deep stretch.

It was a better-than-looked second start by the Steve Miyadi trainee, adding blinkers Sunday. If Perez rides patiently, Tatum’s Gold can deliver as the 3-1 co-second choice.

The favorite is Slew’s Charm, undoubtedly the speed of the field. However, the 5 1/2-furlong sprint for California-bred maiden fillies will be her first try on synthetic.

Race 2: Upset potential

Home School is favored in the mile turf race for 3-year-olds, non-winners other than. He finished a respectable third last time out in the Oceanside Stakes, a race that saw the one-two finishers rally from behind.

It seems unusual trainer Doug O’Neill did not give Home School a chance Saturday in the Grade 2 La Jolla. Generally speaking, O’Neill places sharp horses in ambitious spots. It would have made sense for Home School to try to steal the La Jolla.

Of course, O’Neill did enter two others in the La Jolla, although neither had the speed of Home School. Instead, the path of least resistance will be taken with Home School in an allowance. Lowered expectations? Perhaps bettors should lower expectations, too.

Home School is the 2-1 favorite. He is this handicapper’s top choice.

But an interesting European shows up as an upset candidate. That is the Simon Callaghan-trained I’vegotafeeling, making his U.S. debut.

One year ago Monday, Callaghan unveiled a Euro-import with ordinary form in a Del Mar allowance. No Jet Lag won the allowance, then won a graded stake.

I’vegotafeeling enters with ordinary form. The only win in Europe by I’vegotafeeling was on synthetic. But if the favorite misfires, the new shooter is qualified to upset.

Callaghan is 12 for 58 the past five years with European shippers. Mike Smith is aboard, and I’vegotafeeling is 6-1 in the program. He is worth a bet at that price.

Race 5: Bad-trip debut

Want to see what a bad-trip debut looks like? Check out the replay of Criminal Element in race 1 July 27 at Del Mar.

A 4-year-old first-timer starter, he was void of speed. And then, jockey Fernando Perez found himself buried in heavy traffic. Criminal Element steadied and was shuffled back. He finished evenly thereafter, sixth by four lengths.

It was a compromising trip. If he improves second time out and if Perez keeps him out of trouble, Criminal Element has a shot to outrun his 8-1 odds.

He must defeat the fast-working comebacker He’s On His Toes, the favorite whose workouts suggest that yes, he is on his toes.

Race 7: Girls, girls, girls

The 2-year-old filly division at Del Mar is deep.

Luminance, Tara’s Tango, and Her Emmynency all scored impressive maiden wins this summer that make them leading candidates Aug. 30 in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante.

Sunset Glow powered to a sharp victory Wednesday in the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes. Her trainer Wesley Ward has talked about facing boys in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on closing day, Sept. 3.

More girls are on the way. An apparently strong group of 2-year-old fillies entered this 6 1/2-furlong sprint.

The favorite is Manahatta, a first-time starter trained by Jerry Hollendorfer with bullet works. If she breaks running from the inside post, she might be gone. Key word: “if.” First-time starters are sometimes prone to breaking poorly from the inside post.

Maybellene has the experience edge. She ran well finishing third to Tara’s Tango in her career debut. She galloped out with run past the wire; blinkers off suggests she might adopt an off-the-pace strategy. Maybellene is 7-2.

The second choice in the program is Diva Express, whose runner-up debut looks better on paper than visually. She finished in front of Maybellene but did not act like a filly that would benefit from the additional 1 1/2 furlongs of the Saturday race.

It is dangerous to knock a maiden off one race, but at the short price, Diva Express seems suspect. Mucho Blessings ran a sneaky good fourth in her debut, and maidens from this stable often improve.

Race 8: Lone speed

The scratch of the frontrunner Miss Ellany from the Grade 2 John C. Mabee puts Cozze Up Lady on a potential lonely lead.

Cozze Up Lady does not stack up on class. But the pace scenario works in her favor. She is 9-2 in the program.

The turf played fair Saturday, which means later runners did well. Cozze Up Lady is up against it on “course profile” and class. But she is the one to catch.