Del Mar Thoroughbred Club: Friday Opening Day Analysis

Friday marks the opening day from Del Mar. The race promises full fields and plenty of talent where “the surf meets the turf.” The Oceanside is the opening day feature.

Del Mar Major Events

The Del Mar meet opens this week with talented horses and skilled jockeys from around the nation. Here are some of the many marquee events of the Del Mar Summer Meet highlighted by the Pacific Classic.

Pacific Classic Stakes

• Eligibility: Open to three-year-olds and older
• Distance: 1 1/4 miles
• Surface: Dirt

Del Mar Handicap

• Eligibility: Open to three-year-olds and older
• Distance: 1 3/8 miles
• Surface: Turf

Bing Crosby Stakes

• Eligibility: Open to three-year-olds and older
• Distance: 6 furlongs
• Surface: Dirt

Clement L. Hirsch Stakes

• Eligibility: Open to fillies and mares, three-year-olds and older
• Distance: 1 1/16 miles
• Surface: Dirt

Eddie Read Stakes

• Eligibility: Open to three-year-olds and older
• Distance: 1 1/8 miles
• Surface: Turf

Del Mar Oaks

• Eligibility: Open to three-year-old fillies
• Distance: 1 1/8 miles
• Surface: Turf

La Jolla Handicap

• Eligibility: Open to three-year-olds
• Distance: 1 1/16 miles
• Surface: Turf

Del Mar Futurity

• Eligibility: Open to two-year-olds
• Distance: 7 furlongs
• Surface: Dirt

Pat O’Brien Stakes

• Eligibility: Open to three-year-olds and older
• Distance: 7 furlongs
• Surface: Dirt

Yellow Ribbon Handicap

• Eligibility: Open to fillies and mares, three-year-olds and older
• Distance: 1 1/16 miles
• Surface: Turf

Ship and Win at Del Mar

The Ship and Win program offers enticing benefits to those who choose to ship their horses to Del Mar for racing. One of the primary incentives is a significant purse bonus for horses making their first start in California. This bonus, in addition to standard purse winnings, provides an attractive financial incentive for owners and trainers to participate.

Since its inception, the Ship and Win program has made a notable impact on field size at Del Mar. By attracting more horses from outside California, the program has diversified and enriched the racing scene at the track. Larger field sizes contribute to more competitive races, providing a better experience for both bettors and spectators.

Moreover, the Ship and Win program has been crucial in attracting top-quality horses from various regions, making Del Mar an even more attractive racing destination. The increase in field size has also led to higher wagering and increased excitement surrounding the races, further solidifying Del Mar’s reputation as one of the best betting products in the country.

Del Mar Full Card Analysis

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club – Race 1

Post: 2:00 PM PT; $34k Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 12

• #7 UNIVERSAL PAYDAY (4-1) is our top selection for this race. Having proven his ability to handle these conditions in previous starts, he appears to be the class of the field.
• #8 NEXT REVOLT (3-1) is another contender to watch out for. With the potential to get the right setup in this race, he seems to fit well enough among this group of competitors.
• #9 SOL DEL SUR (12-1) offers good value as a price horse and should be competitive in this spot. With the possibility of benefiting from a hot pace up front, he shouldn’t have trouble with the 1-mile distance.
• #1 TONE FEELIN (6-1) is also expected to be competitive, entering the race in great form.

Selections: 7 – 8 – 9 – 1

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club – Race 2

Post: 2:34 PM PT; $82k Maiden Special Weight going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #3 BYE BYE RAY (5-1) stands as our top pick. Well bred for this spot and showing solid early pace figures, he seems well suited for a race that lacks a ton of front-running speed.
• #7 DAZZLEMESILVER (5-1) is another strong contender, appearing to be a major player in this race. With a strategy to sit in the second tier of runners and make a well-timed run at the leaders, he has previously demonstrated his ability to handle these conditions.
• #5 UNCLE REG (3-1) also enters the race as a significant player. With tactical speed and the ability to sit just off the leaders for a stalk-and-pounce trip, he could pose a dangerous threat if allowed to get loose on the front end.
• #10 BROADWAY UNIONS (20-1) offers potential value as a price horse and could contend in this race. Having demonstrated the ability to handle these conditions before, he could be a dangerous presence on the front end.

Selections: 3 – 7 – 5 – 10

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club – Race 3

Post: 3:06 PM PT; $82k Maiden Special Weight going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 14

• #5 NORTH EAST STAR (5-2) appears to be the strongest contender in this race. Going out for the D’Amato barn and ridden by Rispoli, this horse possesses the pedigree and form to be a major player in this spot.
• #12 STRIKINGLY (10-1) is a price horse that should not be underestimated. Having the pedigree to contend in this field, she could be a significant factor in the race.
• #11 ENCOLPION (20-1) is another price horse worth considering, as she has the potential to be competitive. Going out for the combination of Eurton and Maldonado, she deserves respect in this race.
• #9 BOLT’S BROAD (12-1) is yet another price horse to watch. With strong speed figures, she makes sense as a contender in this field.

Selections: 5 – 12 – 11 – 9

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club – Race 4

Post: 3:38 PM PT; $32k Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 11

• #2 SANTOS TO WILSON (7-2) earns our top selection due to his tactical speed, allowing him to sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. With past performances good enough to beat this group, he looks like a strong contender.
• #5 CORN POP (20-1) offers value as a price horse and should be competitive in this spot, considering his speed figures. Expect him to be part of the early pace.
• #1 BRUTTO (12-1) is another price horse with a chance in this race, appearing to be competitive. He looks to be the class of the field.
• #10 MONGOLIAN LEGEND (12-1) is a fringe contender but shouldn’t be overlooked. With solid early pace figures, he could be a factor in a race that may lack a ton of front-running speed.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 1 – 10

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club – Race 5

Post: 4:08 PM PT; $82k Maiden Special Weight going 5 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 14

• #10 BIG RAINBOW (8-1) stands out as the top pick. Expected to improve off the first start, this horse has been solid in recent outings and should be ready to run a big race. With a good closing kick, she could be dangerous in the late stages.
• #13 DANCE ELLA DANCE (20-1) is a price horse worth considering, as she could be a major player in this race. If she gets loose on the front end, she might prove to be a threat.
• #9 LIGHTING AND REIGN (8-1) also appears to be a major player in this race. Expect her to be part of the early pace.
• #1 DORIE MILLER (10-1) is another price horse with a shot in this race. Going out for the combination of Miyadi and Espinoza, she deserves respect in this competitive field.

Selections: 10 – 13 – 9 – 1

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club – Race 6

Post: 4:38 PM PT; $83k Allowance Optional Claiming going 5 furlongs on turf; Entries: 13

• #10 KING APOLLO (4-1) is our top pick for this race. Having displayed performances good enough to beat this group, he stands out as the horse with the top overall power rating.
• #4 LIBERTY FOREVER (7-2) is another strong contender, having proven his ability to handle these conditions in previous starts. His speed figures make him a sensible choice in this race.
• #6 AMBIVALENT (6-1) enters the race with a shot to contend, as his speed figures suggest.
• #9 CHASIN MUNNY (8-1) may be considered a fringe contender, but he appears to be the class of the field. With the possibility of getting the right setup in this race, he could be dangerous.

Selections: 10 – 4 – 6 – 9

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club – Race 7

Post: 5:08 PM PT; $43k Starter Allowance going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 11

• #11 DESERVEDLY (4-1) earns our top selection, displaying performances good enough to beat this group and carrying the top overall power rating.
• #5 GOLDENEYE (5-1) should be competitive in this spot, making sense on speed figures. With tactical speed, he can sit just off the leaders for a stalk-and-pounce trip.
• #2 BIG HAT WILLIE (6-1) should also be competitive, looking to be the class of the field.
• #8 CLOONEY (7-2) is another horse with the potential to contend. Having shown performances good enough to beat this group, he deserves respect.

Selections: 11 – 5 – 2 – 8

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club – Race 8

Post: 5:38 PM PT; $100k Caesars Sportsbook Oceanside S. going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 14

• #9 CONCLUDE (6-1) is our top pick for this prestigious race. With performances good enough to beat this group, he is trained by the D’Amato barn and ridden by Berrios.
• #1 CLASSICAL CAT (4-1) appears to be a major player in this race, going out for the D’Amato barn and ridden by Rispoli.
• #7 AGENCY (15-1) is a price horse that could be competitive, making sense on speed figures. With the possibility of benefiting from a hot pace up front, he might be dangerous.
• #10 ESCAPE ARTIST (7-2) should be competitive, making sense on speed figures. Going out for the McCarthy barn and ridden by Desormeaux, he deserves consideration.

Selections: 9 – 1 – 7 – 10

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club – Race 9

Post: 6:08 PM PT; $83k Allowance Optional Claiming going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 12

• #3 HARD TO FIGURE (5-1) stands out as the top pick. With performances good enough to beat this group, he has the top overall power rating among the contenders.
• #12 TAHOE SUNRISE (8-1) appears to be a major player in this race, boasting really consistent pace figures that should serve him well in a moderately paced race. Trained by Baffert and ridden by Espinoza, he could be a significant factor.
• #1 DEL MAR JERRY (4-1) could be in with a shot, going out for the McCarthy barn and ridden by Desormeaux. He runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #10 RIFEY (15-1) is a price horse worth considering, as he could be in with a shot. With a competitive run, he is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.

Selections: 3 – 12 – 1 – 10

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club – Race 10

Post: 6:38 PM PT; $84k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 1/8 miles on turf; Entries: 13

• #11 YES THIS TIME (4-1) earns the top selection. With the top overall power rating in the group, this horse looks to be the class of the field.
• #13 MAJESTIC EAGLE (12-1) is a price horse worth considering. Having been solid in recent starts, he should be ready to run a big race.
• #9 FLASHIEST (5-1) appears to be a major player in this race. With a good closing kick, he might get the job done, benefiting from a hot pace up front.
• #10 TESORO (15-1) is another price horse that could be competitive, possibly getting the right setup in this race.

Selections: 11 – 13 – 9 – 10

Summer Horse Racing Coverage

Summer is a busy time of year in the horse racing world. Check back weekly for analysis every Saturday and Sunday from Del Mar and Saratoga as well as additional coverage on other big racing day from around the country including this weekend’s Haskell Stakes.