Goulding: How I'd play Del Mar on Sunday, Sept. 6
I like AUDRA (4) in the first race. The 3-year-old filly took a lot of support when she debuted Aug. 5, but she got off to a poor start. After moving into contention on her own, she hung. She came back with a couple sharp works, and she comes out of a barn that has solid numbers with second-time starters. She could be tough to handle with a race behind her. I’ll key her in the exacta over first-time starter MY SILVER CAT (1), who has been firing bullets at Los Alamitos, LILY KAI (6), who has shown some ability on turf and whose pedigree suggests she will be better on dirt, and SEND ME A SIGN (3), who had a rough trip when she debuted in a key race. One positive sign is that despite her disappointing debut, jockey Mike Smith keeps the faith.
In Race 5, SECOND SUMMER (1) looks like the one to beat. However, he is a deep closer, and he could have a hard time working out a trip leaving from the rail. I’ll try to beat him with MIXIO (3), who showed good tactical speed when he finished fourth in his debut in the same race Second Summer was the runner-up in Aug. 1. Mixio came back with three stamina-building works and could be dangerous from a forward position with the hot Flavien Prat retaining the mount. I’ll bet him to win and single him in a pick three.
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Race 6 is a wide-open maiden special weight race for 2-year-old fillies. My top pick is LEMON DROP SIS (10), who has been working fast at Los Alamitos for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Her only sibling is Catch My Drift, who won four races, including the $100,000 Summer Colony Stakes. It also is encouraging to see Sal Gonzales aboard. He has won with three of his eight mounts from Hollendorfer at the meet with a $4.40 ROI. I’ll bet her to win and spread in the pick three using BELLAMENTARY (1), DEVOTED ONE (3), MOKAT (5), and SPINDLE (9).
In race 7, the third race in the sequence, I’ll single PROSPECT PARK (2) for the Grade 2, $250,000 Del Mar Derby. Prospect Park couldn’t have been more impressive when he tried turf for the first time in the Grade 3 La Jolla, and he shows up every time. Expecting another strong performance.