King: How I'd play Del Mar on Thursday, July 31
Race 3 is the first race I have noted for betting action Thursday at Del Mar, specifically on Valdirone (#7, 7-2), whose ability to rate just off the pace should work to his advantage in a speed-laden field.
The 5 1/2-furlong race understandably drew more front-runners than a typical sprint. And that should benefit Valdirone, who won a California-bred allowance at Los Alamitos on July 11 from a stalking position on the outside – just the kind of journey he figures to get again.
Now he’s running in an open $16,000 claiming race, his first start for a tag, an aggressive drop that may scare away some horseplayers. But in considering his racing history – he has made just seven starts midway through his 5-year-old year – spotting him in this way makes sense. A layoff-prone runner, he could go to the sidelines at any time.
The Cleaners (#4, 3-1) is favored on the plunge out of a second-level optional claimer, but being drawn toward the inside and not having run well previously if beaten to the lead, he is a play-against with other speed horses figuring to pressure him.
Taking a maiden graduate on the rise in race 6
Most bettors will be looking for a horse with experience vs. winners to take the sixth race, a starter allowance sprint for fillies seeking their second victories.
I’m going to try to go against the grain by playing maiden graduate Hanna No Sir (#6, 9-2). A speedy filly who has been first or second in all three of her starts, she seems likely to be a bit cold on the board coming off just a 63 Beyer Speed Figure in her maiden victory.
That number aside, there was much to like about her win. She dueled on the lead and drew off by 8 3/4 lengths in a race that was likely better than her figure might suggest.
She has run faster before. Two starts ago, she ran a 74 Beyer in defeat, and repeating that figure would make her a force.
Let’s go with Hanna No Sir to win and box her in exactas with Pearl de Vere (#1, 3-1), Moscato Girl (#4, 5-1), and Bird In Love (#9, 6-1).
Playing against the comebackers in the nightcap
Coming off a much-improved third-place finish and facing 10 fellow maiden claimers that include one first-time starter and four horses coming off layoffs of 200 days or more, Bellanza (#11, 6-1) has an advantage in the nightcap.
She showed a high level of speed in her latest at Los Al before fading late to be third, but perhaps can outlast this field of horses, many of whom could be short of fitness.