Del Mar Opening Day Thoughts

[APny]

I spent a good amount of time on the card...here are some thoughts:

Race 1: OUT OF PATIENCE goes back to Kristen Mulhall who has had success with this horse.  If this horse can stalk what should be an honest pace, he could get it done. My key horse in what is a wide open season opener.

Race 2: I\'m thinking SO LONG SAILOR bounced last time and should be poised to run a big one.  I also think JIMMY CHILA should get a good trip from the rail and is consistent.  

Race 3: A total guessing game.

Race 4: I\'m going to take a shot with BLUEBERRY PRINCESS who may be coming out of a key race.  This horse has been touted on workout reports and should improve 2nd time out.  Note the trainers statistics 2nd time out when he takes money.  Watch the board!

Race 5: It\'s hard to look past ARMS RUNNER who stands out on number power and has a good inside post.  The race seems wide open after that.  

Race 6: After running on a dead rail last time out, DIVISOR should run a good one.  Has a win over this track should run big 2nd off the layoff. SHIVERMETIMBERS appears vulnerable to me.  His only victory, a maiden win at DelMar last year, appears a lot less impressive after PEACE turned out to be a very average horse.

Race 7: Experts have already anointed BRILL the next SONGBIRD. While her works have been impressive, I wonder if the horses who have run already, TRUE VALIDITY and BIZWHACKS may have a fitness edge over this surface.  

Race 8: I\'m very intrigued by 20-1 m/l O\'Neill trainee SHANE ZAIN.  This horse\'s dam was ALL turf and his turf numbers as a 2 y-o are in line with dirt performances, if not better.  He has been over matched in his last few and I think he can run big here at a price.

Race 9: No real thoughts other than....How is HARD FOUGHT only 8-1 m/l???

Race 10:  How about taking a shot with 1.1m 2 y/o purchase GOREN.  Speed and fade first time out PLUS ran on a dead rail. Should appreciate the move to grass.  At a price I\'ll take a shot.  I also find both of Mandella\'s runners appealing.  While I typically don\'t like to play his horses because I believe he is totally overrated and gets over-bet, his 2 horses here should both improve on their last efforts.

Would\'ve loved to be there for opening day but The Spa is calling.
Let\'s make some $$$

[hellersorr]

APny Wrote:>
> Race 5: It\'s hard to look past ARMS RUNNER who
> stands out on number power and has a good inside
> post.  

ARMS RUNNER was not amused by the replacement strip of grass in the run to the first turn.

Can\'t say I\'m terribly amused by it, either.  Could prove interesting over the course of the meet.

[Ace]

The turf course looked odd to me; like a green that had been recently aerated and sanded (for the golfers among us).

[APny]

There were several horses from trainers not named O\'Neill and Hollendorfer that ran really bad.  IDK if it was the surface or what but several of my horses who looked ready to run big numbers seemed dead out of the gate.

[toppled]

Thanks for the effort.  You put it out there when many others haven\'t.  I remember a month or 2 ago someone bragged about a good day using the Thorograph sheets & took a lot of heat. I thought the reason he got slapped around was because he came by after the races were over.  If someone wants the accolades, they should be willing to put it out there before the races are run.  You took the risk & did that.  The next time you feel good about a card, please don\'t let yesterday hold you back from posting your opinions.

I don\'t do it often, but occasionally I\'ll post opinions on a card I like, like I did for tomorrow\'s Saratoga card.  If I hit a few, or even one at a nice price, I\'ll get congratulated.  If I crash & burn nobody is going to get on my case. That\'s the way it should be.  So please, post again when you have a good feeling about a card and don\'t let yesterday discourage you from posting your thoughts before the races are run. The next time you might have 5 winners and be the toast of the town.