Hammersly: How I’d play Del Mar on Wednesday, Aug. 20
There may be a few linchpins on which you can key your multi-race wagers, including one at the very start.
WOEBEGON won’t be a big price in Race 1 coming off two straight wins, the 5-year-old mare is obviously in top form and a smart win here July 23 shows she likes this place. Michael Pender saw fit to claim her back for $12,500 (he lost her via a claim in the winter) and he knows what makes her tick. It’s most encouraging that he moves her up a peg, despite the fact she’s out of “jail.”
FAITH PROOF laughed at $20K maiden claimers here July 31 by 9 1/4 lengths. She may come right back in Race 3, despite the fact it’s first time versus winners. But that run showed she loves it here and that she’s doing very well as it was her first start in nearly seven months. Oh, trainer Tim Yakteen saw fit to claim her that day and moves her up in price. There’s also a bullet 47-second (best-of-45 four-furlong work) Aug. 15 to say she holds her edge.
GRAZENETTE’s fine third in the Fleet Treat here July 26 stamps her the one to beat in Race 5 as she drops in class. She’s worked since and is reunited with Joe Talamo, who was up for her lone win. PASSIONVILLE also can be used as she comes off a solid second in a race just like this here July 27. Rafael Bejarano was aboard that day and stays with her. It’s noteworthy that both these gals are trained by former Mike Mitchell right-hand man Philip D’Amato, who’s doing nicely out on his own since his mentor retired.
ALEXIS TANGIER figures to go favored in Race 7 as Dick Mandella puts the daughter of Tiznow back on turf. Her big maiden win came on turf at Santa Anita on June 21. She tried the main track here July 27 (race was originally carded for turf but was taken off when turf-course maintenance was being done) and dueled but faded to fifth. She’s back to her best game.
Meanwhile, the nightcap (Race 8) may give you a chance to upset likely favorite MADAME FORBES. That gal figures to go favored after dueling and running third in a route at this level here Aug. 9. That was her first start in two months. However, FULL OF SPICE, on the rail, has shown fine speed sprinting. On the stretchout, that may translate to her being on the lead playing come-catch-me. It’s her first route, but there’s no reason she shouldn’t handle it, and her two races this meet were not only solid, showing she likes it here, but were her first two races of the year, so she may well have more improvement forthcoming.