RACE FIVE
Tough way to start Pick Six!
1-Melon Up: Completely exhausted on deepish track in local debut – may have excited a tough race for the level though, and if speed holds better today, she has a shot – still I'd hate to single her in pick six!
5-Lady Adelle: Ran on mildly for 3rd against runaway winner in local debut – I suppose the experience over the track helps.
3-Touch a Dream: Might be worth a look in the post parade – local works look solid to me.
9-Island Shine: Must always consider Wesley Ward firster. Worked with big stakes horse from yesterday (who didn't fire) and held her own.
8-Great Bernardine: Usually plods along for share – not sure even P-Val's magic can improve her enough to win.
12-Sweet Raquel: Showed a little life in slow race back at Oak Tree – may do down the line or even Fairplex as Siberian Summer\'s LOVE dirt and hate Poly.
RACE SIX
6-Where's the Remote: I think this Mitchell runner will love the grass; his first local race was encouraging too – galloped out well. All systems go! Pick 6 Single!
RACE SEVEN
4-Doughboy: I liked him last time, and he was second best to a Baffert monster – hopefully no monsters in here, and he can break his maiden.
1-Code Breaker: exits same race as top choice; workout dude likes him a lot and he did have trouble at the start – may be better than shown? Espinoza is riding everything well this meet.
9-Wildcat Heir: Is bred to like poly, and P-Val strings along – didn't show much in the race common to the top two though.
RACE EIGHT
8-Distored Economy: Won like a good one despite beating only three rivals – last was like a breezing workout, and he galloped out tremendously well.
10-Call me Honcho: Can not fault his win down here despite the slowish fractions, also has ability to stalk pace.
3-In the Paint: Reportedly training well so you could make a case for this Mitchell runner.
6-Elusive beat: Not the smoothest mover, but does finish strongly – will he be too far back to impact???
5-Premier Cru: Does exit a strong race – not sure what's coming? Could argue he needed last over new surface or that he didn't like it.
11-Low gear Power: Another who can really finish when in mood – 11 post is no bargain though – be too far back early?
4-Imco Spirit: Looks a little cheap to me, but I suppose he does have some speed.
RACE NINE
5-Zenyatta: We all know she hates Del Mar Polytrack as do most horses, but hard to make a case for her losing here. Fingers crossed in her California finale!
RACE TEN
9-Not Here: Pretty hard to fault Flores' choice here. Done everything right in her first two starts – like the Storm Cat in pedigree, too.
8-Lemony Fresh: Showed nothing in debut, but is bred to adore the added distance and is reportedly working super. I might be inclined to use.
1-Live and Love: Flores bails, but you get Bejarano and might be better than shown here for sneaky live Winstar Farms.
7-Spanish Bunny: Was competitive against Cal-Breds, but I think this spot is tougher, and Abrahams not known as big layoff-type trainer.
2-Lily's perfect: Beautiful mover may need a race or two or even longer distances to shine.
3-Go Forth North: Logical contender, though I've never liked 3 furlong blowouts before turf races – trainer change to AC Avilia- maybe.
Good stuff Dana, a few comments on YOUR comments.
That Melon up horse tired in her DMR debut, but in her previous Hollywood race, she got loose on the lead in a slow pace and completely fell apart and was tired on the gallop out. She might have some sort of breathing problem, she\'s got speed but can\'t finish.
I think Code Breaker freaked out before the start, he might be a good horse to bet back, he might be able to run a bit, he\'s just gotta keep his head.
In the paint was entered opening week was scratched injured (according to the chrb website).
I agree with you, i don\'t think Premier Cru liked that surface, he seemed to be struggling a bit on careful video analysis of his lone DMR start.
Again, love the writeups, good stuff!
agreed , good stuff. we need more