Del Mar Late Pick 4 – July 28th

Hitting Wednesday’s Pick 4 where the “Turf Meets the Surf” isn’t gong to be an easy task. Although there are a lot of short-priced horses capable of winning in each of the four legs, there are also high-priced long shots capable of getting their picture taken in each of the legs on Wednesday.

Leg 3, the Wickerr Stakes, which goes off at Race 7, might be one of two races (Race 8 being the other) where a true single, Riviera Cocktail, could be found. I’m not gutsy enough to do it, though!

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Del Mar Pick 4 – July 28 th, 2010

Hollywood Park – Races 5 thru 8

Where: Del Mar, CA

When: Race 5 (Leg 1) – 7:00 pm EST

Race 6 (Leg 2) – 7:30 pm EST

Race 7 (Leg 3) – 8:00 pm EST

Race 8 (Leg 3) – 8:30 pm EST

TV: TVG

Race 5 (Leg 1)

Maiden Claiming $25,000 – $22,500

Purse $20,000. For Maidens, Three-Years-Old And Upward.

6 furlongs over Polytrack

Horses Used: 3-Mytigersnosissy, 10-Mister Jazz

Analysis: Mytigersnosissy also drops from the $50,000 level, picks up jockey Joel Rosario and might be slightly faster than likely pace-setter Pride of Wilshire. Mister Jazz figures to pick up the pieces if Mytigersnosissy gets into a speed duel with Pride of Wilshire. It’s doubtful that will happen considering Rosario has been so good at Del Mar, but you never know.

Race 6 (Leg 2)

Starter Allowance $40,000

Purse $28,000. (Plus $3,360 – CBOIF – California Bred Owner Fund). For Fillies And Mares Three-Years-Old And Upward Which Have Broken Their Maidens For A Claiming Price Of $40,000 Or Less Or Cal Bred Or Sired Horses Which Have Broken Their Maidens For $50,000 Or Less And Which Have Never Won Two Races.

6 furlongs over Polytrack

Horses Used: 2-Word Association, 4-Ascot’s Highflyer, 8-Naughty Mariana, 9-Movie Duty

Analysis: Rosario takes the call on Word Association who is 2 to 1 on the morning line. She’s a must use even though this field is much tougher than some might think. Rosario on board shows that her connections mean business. Ascot’s Highflyer is coming off of a maiden victory and loses Rosario to Word Association but trainer Ron Ellis points his horses towards Del Mar every year. Highflyer could improve on Wednesday. Naughty Mariana could either press the pace or come from off of it with bug boy Alex Gonzalez aboard. Mariana is 10 to 1 on the morning line and is my “blow-up pick” to get some value into the Pick 4. Movie Duty is the one to beat based on her ability to take the lead and pretty much run off with it. Jockey Rafael Bejarano has already won 3 races during this meet.

Race 7 (Leg 3)

Wickerr Stakes

Purse $75,000. (Plus $22,500 – CBOIF – California Bred Owner Fund). For Three-Year-Olds And Upward Which Are Non-Winners Of A Sweepstakes Of $50,000 Other Than State Bred At One Mile Or Over Since May 1.

1 mile over turf

Horses Used: 7-Red Door Drive, 8-Riviera Cocktail, 9-Ferneley

Analysis: Red Door Drive will be close to the pace and could actually pull off the upset if none of his more highly regarded peers fire on Wednesday. Trainer Bob Baffert is a master at getting horses to improve from race to race and Red Door Drive didn’t run all that badly in the Grade II American Handicap during July 4 th weekend. Riviera Cocktail goes for trainer Neil Drysdale. Drysdale hasn’t had a star in his barn for a while. Maybe, Cocktail becomes that star starting on Wednesday. Cocktail is plenty good enough to beat this field by open lengths. Ferneley returns to the U.S. after finishing 5 th in the Grade I Hong Kong Mile last December. Who knows how he’ll respond traveling so far, but he’s a must use because of his overall class.

Race 8 (Leg 3)

Maiden Claiming $40,000 – $35,000

Purse $24,000. For California Bred Or California Sired Maidens, Two-Years-Old.

5 ½ furlongs over Polytrack

Horses Used: 12-Swiss Tart, 13-Offlee Wild Boys

Analysis: Speed has been doing very well on the Polytrack so far. Swiss Tart should either get the lead in this or lie right off of Tahoe Yodeler. He’s almost a single in my mind to win this. Offlee Wild Boys gets in off of the also eligible list. He drops in class and might get the perfect trip off of a speed duel between Swiss Tart and Tahoe Yodeler.

2 x 4 x 3 x 3 = 72 combinations

$1 Pick 4 = $72

Good luck!

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