Global Magician has recency edge
DEL MAR, Calif. – A California-bred allowance turf sprint and two maiden route races top the Thursday card at Del Mar as Week 4 of the five-week Bing Crosby season begins.
While the race 7 turf sprint is deep, race 2 for older maidens includes an apparent standout. Dream Team, a $1 million Tapit colt trained by Bob Baffert, stretches out after losing two sprints at odds-on. His odds will be low again Thursday. Dream Team appears to be the controlling speed over a dirt track that has been kind to front-runners.
Race 6, a maiden route for juvenile fillies, marks the California debut of the well-bred Well Acquainted. By Distorted Humor and a sibling to two graded winners, Well Acquainted finished a respectable third in her debut at Keeneland, a sprint that produced three next-out winners.
Well Acquainted is trained by Graham Motion.
Pageant Material is the top local in race 6. Trained by Richard Baltas, Pageant Material finished second last out in a route at Santa Anita. However, her closing style puts her at a disadvantage – 10 of the 13 dirt routes this fall at Del Mar were won by a horse within one length of the lead after the first half-mile. Escapee is likely to set the pace in race 6.
In the featured race 7, a California-bred first-level allowance at five furlongs on turf, Global Magician could start favored over Burnaroundtheedges. The course will be wider – the temporary rails will be positioned at 18 feet after being at 30 feet last week.
Global Magician has the benefit of recent racing, having finished third last month in a statebred allowance that was validated when winner Pay the Fine returned Sunday to win an open, entry-level allowance. Burnaroundtheedges is racing for the first time since a winning debut in April 2014.
Completing the main body of the field are Signature Cat, the recently gelded Kristi’s Copilot, and the outsiders Gutsy Ruler, Glitter of Silver, Lambo Luxx, Law Dog, and Hye I’m Jack.
KEY CONTENDERS, race 7
Global Magician
(Last 3 Beyers: 78-83-82)
◗ In the money in seven of 10 starts against winners, Global Magician is trained by Peter Miller and will be ridden by Victor Espinoza.
◗ Global Magician lost as the favorite last out for the fourth time in his last 10 starts.
Burnaroundtheedges
(Beyer: 71)
◗ Kenny Black is the new trainer for Burnaroundtheedges, who won his debut April 26, 2014, at Santa Anita for the now-retired Don Warren.
◗ Joe Talamo rides Burnaroundtheedges, who was sired by Vronsky.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Burnaroundtheedges. Trainer Kenneth Black is 4-2-2-0 with a $28.05 ROI over the past year with horses returning from layoffs of 90 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Signature Cat
(Last 3 Beyers: 75-70-18)
◗ The likely pacesetter, Signature Cat is trained by Phil D’Amato, the meet’s leading trainer with 8 wins from 25 starters. Edwin Maldonado will ride.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 8 Law Dog. Trainer Bob Hess Jr. is 32-1-4-4 over the past five years in turf sprints following a layoff of 45 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan