Free's preview: Turf racing returns

DEL MAR, Calif. – The Grade 2 La Jolla Stakes, race 5, will not be the most closely scrutinized turf race Saturday at Del Mar. Instead, that dubious honor is race 2, a one-mile maiden race that will be the first grass race at Del Mar since July 31.

Turf racing was suspended following a series of breakdowns that resulted in four horse fatalities. Since then, the course has been extensively aerated and watered in an effort to slow down final times and ensure safety.

The fastest turf mile this summer was 1:32.35 (rails six feet) by Lil Bit O’Fun in the Wickerr Stakes on July 23. The fastest 1 1/16-mile turf race was 1:39.79 (rails down) by Boozer in a first-level California-bred allowance July 18.

The rails have been moved to 24 feet Saturday. It is the first time this meet the rails have been out that far.

Prior to the suspension of turf racing, the course played fair, which is to say, it favored closers. That usually is the case on true grass, where a big finish is crucial.

Only 2 of 25 turf routes this summer were won by the pacesetter; 17 were won by horses positioned three or more lengths off the pace.

The question for handicappers Saturday is determining – or guessing – if the course will continue to play the same. How could it?

The course has been tinkered with significantly. Final times should be slower.

In a figurative sense, the Del Mar turf course Saturday is not the same course that horses raced over the first three weeks. If the course has changed, it is reasonable to wonder if the profile also has change.

Deep closers that did well early may find it difficult on the different course.

Races 2, 5, and 8 Saturday are scheduled for grass. If the extensive course maintenance has created a shift, it will be no surprise if speed holds the edge.

Race 2: Turf speed

The pro-speed idea will be tested early. Eight older maidens race one mile. The speed might be 5-2 favorite, Snuggley Bear. Or it might be Anxious Times. Both are stretching from sprints, and both have speed.

Snuggley Bear easily is knocked. He has the highest figures in the field, but he also is a maiden after 10 starts. He has lost only once as the favorite, but five times, he started at less than 3-1. Career maidens occasionally win. They always are fun to bet against.

Anxious Times is a comebacker, now trained by Richard Mandella. He is bred to run long (by Tiznow), has worked well for his comeback, and has enough speed to be forwardly placed. If he and Snuggley Bear can stay out of each other’s way, one or the other might win.

Anxious Times is 5-1. He is this handicapper’s top choice.

Race 5: La Jolla

The last-to-first rally by Enterprising in the Oceanside Stakes on opening day was breathtaking. He went the final quarter-mile in 22.42 seconds. Wow.

What happens on the new course Saturday? Enterprising does possess tactical speed, so he could be closer to the pace than last out. He will need to be closer because the six-horse field of 3-year-olds racing 1 1/16 miles on turf is short on pace.

That is one reason to give Schoolofhardrocks a look. He also has tactical speed. But he misfired when he shipped to Arlington for the Grade 3 American Derby. Furthermore, a quote from trainer David Hofmans reported by Del Mar publicity does not generate confidence.

“I think he’ll be a really good 4-year-old,” Hofmans said. Schoolofhardrocks and all the others in the La Jolla are 3-year-olds.

Race 8: More speed

Boozer ran the fastest 1 1/16-mile turf race of summer (1:39.79). He did it pressing a fast pace over a course that favored late speed. So can Boozer reproduce the effort moving up from statebred allowance to open N1X over a different course?

That is question facing the 5-2 favorite. Boozer is a frontrunner/presser, but he does not require the lead. Good thing because Toledo Eddie and Great Friends Rule will mix it up early.