King: How I'd play Del Mar on Wednesday, July 23
With the first three races on the Wednesday card at Del Mar failing to inspire, the inclination is to wait for race four before diving into the betting pool. That race, a $16,000 claimer for $12,500 fillies, drew a deep field, and a potential overlay looms on 8-1 shot MIZZILLI (#9).
A synthetic specialist, she is aggressively spotted, dropping in class following two consecutive victories for higher claiming tags at Presque Isle Downs. But the drop should not be construed as a negative sign.
Since being claimed for $16,000 in May, she already has grossed more than $34,000 in earnings. So win or lose Wednesday, her connections are well in the black. Though obviously, they’d much rather win, especially since she probably gets claimed.
Beyond her recent success, one has to like her versatile running style, which allows her to race on the lead or from just off the pace.
Single for multi-race gimmicks
The choice in race five, MAL VERDE (#7), doesn’t offer the value of the fourth-race selection, being a 5-2 favorite on the morning line.
By estimation, he has about a 40 percent change of winning, making him an excellent single in multi-race exotic wagers.
Why the high confidence level? He won at first asking going down the hill at Santa Anita, then ran second with a race-best 91 Beyer Speed Figure in finishing a clear second in his only attempt in an allowance there under similar conditions.
Furthermore, he has speed – making the cutback to five furlongs on the Del Mar grass seemingly no issue – and the form from his last race has held up, with third-place Boozer winning an allowance going a route on turf July 18.
Another value play
Moving ahead a couple races to the seventh, MY SLEW (#2) is an intriguing value play at his 6-1 morning line. Since being claimed for $20,000 in May, he has a win and a second in two starts for his connections while racing on dirt.
Based on how he ran at Del Mar previously, he should maintain his sharp form on the Polytrack. His maiden win came over this track in September 2012.
He warrants play in the win pool if he sticks close to his morning line. Also toss him in the exactas and trifectas with RAISED A SECRET (#3), QUALITY PLAN (#11), and PRODIGIOUS (#12).
A nightcap wager
In an $8,000 claimer that serves as the ninth-race finale, the 6-1 shot FORMAT V. offers appeal.
A winner of two straight this spring in Kentucky, he was claimed by trainer Bob Hess with the now-apparent intention of bringing him out to California to race on the Polytrack at Del Mar.
This is a horse who won on the Poly at Keeneland in April for $10,000 – and who also won at Del Mar earlier in his career.
As for his last race, a distant fourth at Churchill in a starter allowance, it is a throw-out race. It came in the mud, and this horse has now struggled in three starts on wet dirt tracks.