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

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DEL MAR SPOTLIGHT RACES:

Third Race: Post: 3:03 PT
Top Pick: 4-Offlee Icy (5/2)

This shortened trip from six and one-half furlongs to five eighths of a mile should be quite agreeable to this second-time starter from the John Sadler. Under restraint while battling for the lead in his debut at Santa Anita in mid-June (and perhaps taking his best weapon away from him in the process), this maiden California-bred colt more than likely will be let roll today, and if such a strategy is employed we’re expecting him to take control soon after the start and roll all the way to wire. We liked the way he stayed under pressure to be fourth, beaten just a length, in his prior outing, and with that effort behind him he should be fitter, sharper, and tougher today. At 5/2 on the morning line, the son of He Be Fire N Ice in a win play and rolling exotic single.

Fifth Race – Post: 4:03 PT
Top Pick: 8-South Coast Route (5-1)

The class drop on this circuit from maiden special weight to maiden $150,000 wouldn’t seem to be significant, but it is. This juvenile son of West Coast exits an infinitely tougher race when chasing home the highly regarded Newgate, and his sixth place finish (beaten nine lengths) actually charts extremely well against this much softer field. The Peter Miller-trained colt is strong in the speed figure department and seems certain to step forward against this group, so at 5-1 on the morning line, he offers excellent value in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics. Also taking a similar class drop – and worth including on your ticket – is 4-Air Kenney, listed at 20-1 on the morning line. He could be the quickest of the quick and if he can shake loose early the son of Goldencents could get brave late. Of the newcomers, 3-Sam Malone is worth tossing in, even if you never watched “Cheers.” Yes, he’s a $300,000 yearling purchase making his debut for half that amount – hardly a sign of confidence – but he’s trained well enough to at least be reasonably competitive at this level.
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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:

(Races 1-4)
1st race: 11-Cross Examine; 4-Besame Mucho; 7-Mount Olympic
2nd race: 1-Holden the Lute2-Offshore Affair; 4-Colonelsdarktemper
3rd race: 4-Offlee Icy
4th race: 6-V Bucks ; 5-Red Panty Night; 1-Wild Arch

(Races 5-8)
5th race: 8-South Coast Route; 3-Sam Malone; 4-Air Kenney
6th race: 6-Gregory’s Pride; 8-Johnny Podres
7th race: 8-Big Scotty Daddy; 10-Winhapppy; 1-Box of Chocolates
8th race: 10-Oubabe ; 1-Fore Flag; 6-Street Humor


DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:

SECOND RACE:

Holden the Lute (July 31, Del Mar, 4f, :49.1h). Grade: B
Hard held in breezing work inside Nuclear (same time) for J. Sadler, final three furlongs on our watches in :12.1 and :36.4. Freshened since mid-June, seems ready for another good effort.
View Workout Video


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FIFTH RACE:

Sam Malone (August 11, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.2h). Grade: B-
Can’t verify final time but we caught him from the quarter pole out to the 7/8 pole while being ridden out late, :25.3 and :38.1, so we suspect he went slower than given while coming down the lane with All Eyes West (6f, 1:12.3h) and Mor Tequila (5f, 1:00.4h, close up inside, faded readily in the final furlong, not encouraging), still not a bad work for Baffert while gearing up for debut. Bolt D’Or colt brought $300,000 as a yearling but debuts in a $150,000 maiden claimer, not really a sign of confidence. Mixed signals here.
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Mor Tequila (August 11, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.4h). Grade: C +
See Sam Malone (above)
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Littlebrotherjoey (August 5, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:02.1hg). Grade: C+
Outworked by Commander Carl (5f, :59.4hg), splits of :24.2, :35.4 and :48 flat for a half mile (up there), steadily weakening to be a few lengths back when eased up. Probably nothing special at this stage for D. Blacker.
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Buffett (August 7, Del Mar, 5f, 1:02hg). Grade: C
In gate drill with Percolate (4f, :48hg) and Conch Daddy (5f, 1:00.4hg) and was the last of three while trailing throughout and falling back even more in the final stages, early splits of :24.2, :36.2 and :49 flat, not impressive. Let’s see one first.
View Workout Video


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