(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).

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DEL MAR SPOTLIGHT RACES:

First Race – 4:00 Post: PT
Top Pick: 6-Warren’s Paradice (5/2)

Didn’t receive any action (23-1) in her debut when sprinting on dirt from the rail but actually showed some late spark when closing with interest to be fourth against similar maiden special weight state-bred competition. But what was even more significant was the strong gallop out by the daughter of Clubhouse Ride, who seems quite likely to improve with the stretch out in trip and the switch to grass. She is listed as the second choice at 5/2 on the morning line and should be a reasonable gamble at or near that price. The morning line favorite at 8/5 is Court Snort, already with three races under her belt and stretching out to a distance that should be within her range. If she makes the running without being pressured, the daughter of Stay Thirsty could get brave.

Eighth Race: Post: 7:23 PT
Top Pick: 4-Creative Peak (12-1)

Though he has been away for more than two months since earning his maiden diploma in a state-bred maiden special weight sprint, this son of Creative Cause actually earned a speed figure that makes him a fit on the raise and therefore seems much more dangerous than his morning line of 12-1 might indicate. A sharp and healthy series of workouts in recent weeks indicates the Vladimir Cerin-trained sophomore is ready for another forward move, and in a race in which he's likely to make the lead he could sneak away early and never look back. Nice Guy Clay is a major player as well based on his debut victory at Los Alamitos in late June and he, too, should be juicy on the tote after being listed at 10-1 on the morning line. A bullet workout (:46 3/5) on July 31 over the Del Mar main track is highly noteworthy. Toss in Quick Finish , who has landed in the frame in 16 of 28 career starts (and is 5-1 on the morning line) and we have the makings of an attractive exacta/trifecta box and a good price chance in the various rolling exotics.

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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:

(Races 1-4)
1st race: 6-Warren’s Paradice; 3-Court Snort
2nd race: 6-Perfect Cut; 4-Big Flame
3rd race: < 3-Rvalentina; 4-Noble Hearted
4th race: 10-Otter Pop; 6-Silver Lightning; 7-Smiling Princess

(Races 5-8)
5th race: 1-Izzy Em; 5-Sugar Sugar; 8-A Good Law
6th race: 9-Straighten Up; 2-The Big Wam
7th race: 6-Opry; 10-Moody Jim; 3-Winning Factor
8th race: 4-Creative Peak; 10-Nice Guy Clay; 2-Quick Finish


DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:

FIRST RACE:

Loyal to a Fault (August 6, Del Mar, 4f, :47.4h). Grade: B-
Veered out at the start, then was asked and was stride-for-stride with Stop and a Tres (same time) before edging clear late outside while being ridden to the end, splits of :24.1, :35.4, and :48.3, slower than given and not particularly noteworthy. Probably a bit better than shown but really needs to step it up.
View Workout Video


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THIRD RACE:

Rvalentina (July 29, Del Mar, 5f, 1:02h). Grade: B-
Easy breeze, never asked, final half mile in :23.4 and :50.3, just galloping late. Lone Star Park shipper arrives in good shape and has speed figures that make her competitive on this circuit.
View Workout Video

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FIFTH RACE:

Izzy Em (August 7, Del Mar, 4f, :49.2h). Grade: B-
Uncle Mo filly seemed fine in solo main track drill, splits of :24.2 and :49 flat (a bit faster than given) before continuing out to 7/8 pole in 1:01.4 on our watches for a full five furlongs, mild coaxing only while a few lanes off the rail through the stretch. Indiana shipper seems in good enough shape for new trainer D. O’Neill and probably has some improvement in her.
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Briefcase Girl (August 4, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01h). Grade: B-
Second best chasing home Anacapa (same time), breaking off a few lengths behind and then making no impression through the lane, light coaxing only (workmate was breezing), final half mile in :48.1. Might be more willing only turf (bred for it), ran well when second in a grass sprint in only outing in May.
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SIXTH RACE:

Straighten Up (August 6, Del Mar, 4f, :46h). Grade: B
In blinkers, was permitted to show his early speed (opening quarter in :22.1) and then came home without pressure, up in :46.1 on our watches for J. Hollendorfer. Quick colt won’t be waiting around for anybody in the Graduation Stakes. Needs to take advantage of these abbreviated sprints, not likely to be as effective when the distances increase.
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SEVENTH RACE:

Jack Sprout (July 22, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.3h). Grade: C+
Ridden aggressively through the lane, final half mile in :24.3 and :49 flat, doing his best to the end. Away since November, maybe needs more work (and probably turf, too).
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EIGHTH RACE:

Gold Rush Candy (August 5, Del Mar, 5f, :59.1h). Grade: B
In company outside Adare Manor (6f, 1:11.3h, out to 7/8 pole), came the final half mile in :22.3 and :46.4, ridden in the final furlong but losing ground to classy filly, winding up almost a length back at the wire (workmate not asked much) while appearing to flatten out a bit late. Probably not as good a work as final time might indicate. Has good speed but was hoping to see him punch it in a bit better.
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