Handicapper Tips & Picks

The scratch of #12 MIKE OPERATOR (AE) changes the pace complexion of this race eliminating some of the early speed. That change would benefit #8 NEXT REVOLT one that already fits logically from a pace standpoint and looking to pair up wins coming off a PERFECT trip win last out at LRC. #2 FAR WEST and #5 MY INDY could try and keep the pace honest, though come into this race softer on class/numbers for today’s surface/distance.

Intent comes into play for #1 TONE FEELIN as he makes his second start on this circuit, sits “bonus” eligible and used the June 18^th race at the higher (DROP) level as a PREP with the connections looking ahead to Del Mar. #9 SOL DEL SUR did not have a chance to compete coming off the layoff that day chasing WIDE before the rider took hold/NO_PUSH and has back class, numbers that fit at this level with a favorable RunStyle. The front wraps have been added and something to monitor on race day.  Similar intent should be in play for #6 GOOD JUJU as he was entered in that same June 18^th race, however, was unable to draw in off the AE.

#10 SETTECENTO as an individual does not hold any strong edge in this race, though fits at the same time and could be well-intended for this race. O’Neill over the years has sent out live runners to the opening race on opening day and has had success. This one comes into the race with that familiar pattern as he makes his second start off the claim and raced protected last month on the turf at GGF.

#4 BIG BUZZ and #7 UNIVERSAL PAYDAY fit today’s conditions, however off-the-pace types could struggle in terms of working the right trip to win, and getting into the mix is not as much of a stretch. 

Interesting move to show up on the main track with #4 PARK CITY by Blacker. He showed ability leading up to the debut, part of the reason he was favored in the first couple of starts and showed run in both of those race. He could be given a pass with the outside draw and stakes placement along with the layoff that closed out 2022. He looked a bit short coming back off the layoff last month and has worked consistently since.

#8 FIFTY CINCO is one of the lesser exposed in this field as he makes his second start. His debut was back in February on the turf and was not asked/NO_PUSH after the SLOG making it tough to take much from that race. He did not regain training until June and has been working consistently since and improvement can be easily projected.

#5 UNCLE REG has shown speed figure consistency though not much in terms of progress. That consistency stacks up and could even be an edge over many with experience, though does require a move forward to secure that “winning” type race. It should also be noted that he was a vet scratch from the June 25^th race at LRC. #1 CENTRAL DISPATCH returns from that June 25^th race to make his second start. He did race on a WIDE trip and visually drifting out (NO_LINE) on his left lead/NO_LEAD in the lane – a race dynamic that did not have much change in running order.

#7 DAZZLEMESILVER is another that has been in tough following a sneaky good effort in his debut back in February. Number wise he stacks up with many in this field and requires some value in this race where he still must prove himself on class. Similar could be said for #3 BYE BYE RAY class tested on this circuit. To his credit, he showed run in his first two starts and freshened since the route in February.

#6 DR. VENKMAN was scheduled to debut here at Del Mar last November though a vet scratch that day missed the meet and delayed this initial start. He has shown run and the 6.5f distance suits his frame and RunStyle. That is noted as he is a poor gate horse, he was breaking slow and bobbling out of the gate last year and broke slow in the recent July 14^th move before getting rushed up waiting outside his workmates before taking over from them as much the best late. #9 THRUST is a nice looking horse tough to know why it has taken his so long to debut. He comes into this race plenty fit, though could ultimately see him prefer the turf. Similar surface could assist #2 MAUNA KEA BOUND overall and has he shows up here with the addition of blinkers and Maldonado they should be looking to show early speed – he did not work in blinkers on July 10^th and did not see the work that followed on July 17th. 

#1 OAK STREET BEACH appears well-meant for Proctor returning to Del Mar for the first time since 2018. Van Dyke was the main rider for the barn on this circuit at the time and could be a positive for Van Dyke, a rider that has been streaky over the past couple years. As an individual, Oak Street Beach turned in a B OptixGRADE effort in her debut along with the 80 OptixFIG and IMPROVE Keyword.

Smith picking up the mount for Gallagher on #2 SAKURA FLAVOR is notable as these two have teamed up over the years at Del Mar with success. As an induvial she fits as well as any and holds progressive OptixFIG race to race pairing B- OptixGRADES in her turf route races.

Another live barn with Jonathan Thomas shipping in with #13 PROUD MARY (AE) to make her second start. She was intended for turf on debut and physically looks suited to the grass off those visuals. She put in a good run to make up ground after a SLOG and behind a front running winner over a track profile favoring horses on or near the lead. #14 DEN OF INIQUITY (obviously named for the Integrity title track on Those Who Fear Tomorrow) might ultimately need a local start and needs luck to draw in.

#5 NORTH EAST STAR does not have the most efficient action, though that did not stop her from turning in a BTL effort on May 21^st making up ground after a SLOG and one of the few in the race to make up ground for a HOT barn. That race has been a productive event with many to improve their number and three next out winners. Those factors could see her compete here, though also could be short with public attention while she will still be class and distance tested. Stablemate #6 LA PEER has the route experience and should benefit from the STRETCH out as she makes her second start back this season. She could also get overlooked off that race and recent running lines while also potentially sitting on a peak effort looking to improve off her juvenile figures in this spot.

Powell struggled here last summer and noted with #8 FIRSTTIMEINFOREVER as part of that sample and overall a trainer trend worth following this season. She was compromised with the COLD barn and poor start on September 11^th, a productive race going forward. She improved in her next start, the October 23^rd race making a MOVE though flattened out last, something that might suggest distance limitations, though using a similar “second off” pattern coming back for this race could see a move forward for this filly.

Often the older fillies, there are three four-year-old’s in this field, could hold an edge though those runners have not quite shown enough to support on the win end to side with age alone. First time starter, #10 IRISH MYTH has a different hurdle giving up experience, though she has some run looks on the “turfy” side and has shown in her works some tactical speed that could not see her compete in this spot on debut. 

#2 SANTOS TO WILSON will give up some recency making his return today from the 279-day layoff. This horses has been able to run well off a layoff in the past and could be intent showing up for the tag, as well as holding early speed that could present a pace advantage here as well. #10 MONGOLIAN LEGEND could be overlooked given the connections and dismissed off his local, DMR record. His record might not be stacked with “1” but he does show some of his higher figures here and part of his overall record due to placement running against much tough to remain protected for the prior connections.

Current form fits with #7 CARELESS KITTEN, #8 TENTH STREET DON and #9 CURLY ESA though these three need everything right in order to win as factors to consider with value and even on math alone consider upgrading the longest on the board of the group. #11 HEIR is tougher to make a strong case for though getting creative a case can be made for one of the projected longer-shot runners in the field. 

The connections for #2 SKY SAILING could have been waiting for Del Mar and longer sprints for this longer bodied filly. She has some run, shown early speed from the gate and has been able to rate and pass runners in the morning.

#7 TALENT FOR GOLD broke on top working with #3 SAFA on June 9^th held a slight edge but SAFA might be the better of the two. SAFA on her own has some speed and some gears and one that could get attention with the recent bullet drill. She has shown that tendency to break slow, and physicality suited to the turf – similar physicality for #1 DORIE MILLER. #5 PEPPERTINI was used out of the gate on July 3^rd with tail flashing throughout the move.

Mathis had a solid 2022 season and shows up with a pair in this spot. #6 SMILE BABY SMILE for her second start. She could show more early speed in this second start, getting to the lead was something they seemed to be looking for first out. 

#1 HOT ROD RUMBLE looks like he is ready to rumble in this spot coming off the layoff and showing up for the first time on the turf. He showed turf visuals as a juvenile and has even worked on the turf. As he returns from the layoff he appears race ready off the time and visuals (wide off turn in hand to the “wire” in company) from the July 16^th move. #9 CHASIN MUNNY is a logical type in this race. His numbers stack up strongly and has fitness and class relief on his side as he makes his second start off the layoff. The experience at 5f is also key for this type of distance.

#10 KING APOLLO has current form and fits on numbers/class. Pace/trip will be key as he makes his run from off the pace. He has those edges over #2 BARSABAS, though as a longshot of the two could get into the mix at a price to include for minors.

#4 LIBERTY FOREVER also has surface distance experience, though has some challenges returning from the 237-day layoff as well as stepping up once again to take on open company. #8 REXFORD also broke his maiden over this course, though since has not shown much progress and does not hold any edge in this field and could be one of the favorites coming off in-the-money finishes and for these connections. 

#5 GOLDENEYE  comes off a freshening and back to the main track where he has recorded some of the higher figures in this field and showing early speed at the same time. He is only eligible for this conditions based on the February 18^th race when in for the tag at the Optional Claiming level.

#7 KEEN TO GO is one of the three-year-old runners in this field though one that has some consistency and current form as he makes his second start for the connections. His race back on June 2^nd was compromised by a poor ride, ground loss and can project a move forward off that trip and compete in today’s field. 

The Oceanside stakes is a wide open event as a race that lacks a true standout and horse to beat. #6 MR FISK has not raced on the turf and Baffert is not known for turf horses, though has been able to pop in spots with the right horse. MR FISK has shown improvement with racing and visually coming into this with positive visuals, and those visuals suggest he can handle and even move up on the turf. Bravo will take over today and has been aboard with success for Baffert and looks to be substituting for Hernandez. 

#5 SIR ATTICUS should offer value and sits as a contender in this field. He had a legit EX – EXCUSE on debut still recording a BTL effort and one he projected to IMPROVE off of and improve he did recording a B+ OptixGRADE breaking his maiden and near 10+ OptixFIG jump to 92. 

#1 TWIST recorded a BTL effort in his local debut back in June at Santa Anita and returns here under similar conditions for Sadler. #9 FLASHIEST also returns under similar conditions from a BTL effort in his own right back on May 6^th. He tends to run from further off the pace and trip will be key here with this draw and race complexion.

#2 ASTRONOMER gives up a lot of recency as one that has not been seen since his juvenile season though showed ability and progressive type with those two-year-old figures fitting right in with the older rivals in this group. #6 BALLADEER also fits on his current form and looking to pair up wins with a slight step up in class. He has sneaky form here at Del mar keying off a pair of trips last season – a near excuse on July 23^rd and upgraded setting a Very Fast (X_FLOW) pace in August.

#11 YES THIS TIME comes back to Optional Claiming company where he was competitive this year at Santa Anita and just missed finishing together at the wire in a three horse blanket on May 6^th. #10 TESORO won under similar N2X conditions in June at GGF and is upgraded returning to the TURF, wheeling right back from a TROUBLE trip just over a week ago, though will be class tested again on this circuit. #12 TARATINO also ran in the June 3^rd race where he was compromised with the dynamic and ride, though also class rested returning to Del Mar – albeit a more favorable spot than in graded stakes company last summer and did break his maiden on this turf course for Baffert on debut in 2020.