Free's preview: Will speed hold again?

Wednesday, July 23, preview

DEL MAR, Calif. – Except for seemingly endless cards Saturday and Sunday, the opening week at Del Mar was a good start. The average field size was 9.43 starters, giving the track a convenient reason to run 11 races both days on the weekend.

But more is not necessarily better. The vibe felt empty as the five-hour cards lumbered to their ends. First post both days was 2 p.m. Pacific. Last post Saturday was 7:08 p.m.; last post Sunday was 7:07. Not cool.

Favorites won at a 30 percent clip, the pro-inside bias Thursday and Friday dissipated Saturday, and the exciting 2-year-old fillies Luminance and Tara’s Tango posted impressive debut victories to emerge as early favorites for the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Aug. 30.

On to the Wednesday card:

ROUTE SPEED, race 3

A surprise during opening week was how well speed performed in routes on Polytrack. There were five routes, all at one mile. Three were won by the pacesetter, and two other winners were positioned within a half-length at the first pace call.

The profile will be tested in race 3, a restricted (non-winners of two) $16,000 claiming race at one mile. The filly-mare race is loaded with speed. Four of the eight entrants are stretching out from sprints; two others are route types who run up front.

Warrens Lil Margie is this handicapper’s top choice, with little conviction. She got messed up at the break last time; her runner-up finish two back might be good enough. She is no bargain at 5-2.

If there is a crazy horse, it might be the only entrant with a Del Mar win. Silic’s Valley sprang a $77.60 upset last summer on Polytrack. She has not hit the board since, but her closing style suits the race shape. Silic’s Valley is the longest shot in the field at 20-1.

The horse-for-course angle did well during opening week. Silic’s Valley might not be so crazy after all. Kinz Funky Monkey ($38.60) and Passing Game ($62.80) scored opening-day upsets. Both had won previously at Del Mar.

GOOD GAMBLING, race 4

It is not often that a $12,500 sprint claimer for fillies and mares attracts a field as competitive as race 4. Notwithstanding the class, it might be the best race on the card to gamble on.

Musical Arts misfired last time, when she was odds-on to win at Los Alamitos, though finishing second is not a total failure. That was her first start in 2 1/2 months. Her new trainer, Steve Miyadi, wheels back in 13 days while returning to synthetic.

Musical Arts gets the call at 6-1, but one also could make a case for Rosewhitenblue and several others. It is a good, competitive race to kick off the pick six that has carryover-into-Thursday written all over it.

TURF SPRINT SINGLE, race 5

The new turf course played fair to all styles during opening week. A pair of lone front-runners shook loose in routes and wired the field, stretch runners ran well, and the best horses won. The only turf sprint was won from off the pace.

The rails were down opening week; they move to a six-foot setting Wednesday. The wider turf course allows for six rail settings – zero, 6 feet, 12, 18, 24, and 30. One would not expect the move from zero to 6 feet to make much difference, other than a first quarter-mile with a quicker time.

The run-up distance in five-furlong turf sprints is 35 feet with the rails down, and 55 feet with the rails at six feet. The field Wednesday will have 20 feet extra to reach top speed before crossing the beam. Technological mumbo-jumbo.

Mal Verde is the most probable winner on the card, with a running style dissimilar to his main rival. Mal Verde pressed a fast pace and finished second in his recent comeback; he has worked super since and can win with a pressing trip if he moves forward in his second start back.

Gangnam Guy runs from off the pace; his two best races were his two turf sprints at Santa Anita. Mal Verde is 5-2 to win with a pressing trip; Gangnam Guy is 3-1 to win from behind. It is a first-level allowance for statebreds.

TURF SPEED, race 8

Rangi is a fast turf sprinter. So, why is he racing one mile in the $90,000 Wickerr Stakes? That is easy. Rangi will try to steal it.

None of his rivals can go with him. Even if they could, who would want to?

Rangi probably will surrender at the head of the lane. He is outclassed and distance-challenged. But he is in career-best form and this handicapper’s Wednesday “grandstand selection.” Gate to wire at 8-1. Well, maybe.
If he falters, it is anyone’s race. Te Rapa at 5-1 is an attractive alternative from off the pace. It is a wide-open race.

VETERAN’S DAY, race 9

Summer at Del Mar would not be the same without Mensa Heat.

After failing to make an appearance last summer at the picturesque seaside oval, Mensa Heat has returned. The veteran 8-year-old might win the finale.

Mensa Heat made his career debut at Del Mar on Aug. 13, 2008. He was a 2-year-old and won a $62,500 maiden-claiming sprint first out before finishing last in the Grade 1 Futurity won by Midshipman.

Mensa Heat was 0 for 2 at Del Mar in 2009 and also in 2010 and then returned to the Del Mar winner’s circle twice in 2011. He won a second-level allowance and dead-heated for the win in the $104,000 Pirate’s Bounty Stakes. The following year at age 6, he finished second twice at Del Mar. Last year, he took the summer off.

Mensa Heat has won 10 races and $540,838 from 16 starts. He was claimed for $8,000 last out by Jeff Mullins, a runner-up finish, and is the 3-1 favorite to win the $8,000 claiming sprint from off the pace.