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

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DEL MAR SPOTLIGHT RACES:

Third Race: Post: 4:00 PT
Top Pick: 2-Fort Moultrie (5/2)

Trainer Phil D’Amato doesn’t claim many these days, but he took this Midwest-based invader for $50,000 in May and, in a sign of confidence, returns him protected in this starter allowance grass miler with plenty of ship-and-win money on the table. A steady, healthy series of workouts should have this gelding fit and ready and with top jockey Juan Hernandez signing on, we’re expecting this four-year-old gelding to be along in time. Trainer Jonathan Wong also has a first-off-the-claim entrant from Kentucky in the field – 6-Hometown Hero – and in his present form the son of Into Mischief, a sharp winner of his last pair on the main track, looms the one to fear most. This will be his first career start on grass, and if improves at all with the switch in surface he could give our top pick a decent run for it.


Fifth Race – Post: 5:00 PT
Top Pick: 3-True Patriot (3-1)

This daughter of Clubhouse Ride shows the classic two-sprints-and-a-stretch-out pattern and seems certain to improve in this one mile turf affair for California-bred older fillies and mares. Second in both prior outings sprinting on grass at Santa Anita during the spring, she gives every indication that added distance will bring out her best, and from a nice inside draw the Carla Gaines-trained sophomore projects to settle into a good stalking position and then have every chance to seal the deal when asked to quicken at the head of the lane. At 3-1 on the morning line, she’s a strong play in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics. For protection, you might want to toss in 2-Magic Game somewhere on your ticket. A close sixth in the same race our top pick exits, the daughter of Flintshire certainly has the pedigree to handle the extra ground, and after racing in traffic much of the way last time out she might show considerable improvement if let roll from the gate and attempt gate-to-wire tactic. She is listed at 6-1 on the morning lane and could easily be better than that.

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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:

(Races 1-4)
1st race: 2-After Midnight; 3-Havana Love; 5-That’s Amare
2nd race: 1-It’s Saul Right 2-Grazed My Heart
3rd race: 2-Fort Moultrie6-Hometown Hero
4th race: 7-Maxim Moment 4-Toda Matters

(Races 5-8)
5th race: 3-True Patriot 2-Magic Game
6th race: 7-Luck’s Royal Flush 4-Square Deal; 2-Bear Chum
7th race: 3-Neige Blanche
8th race: 4-Mongolian Kingdom; 1-Chris Fix


DEL MAR WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:

THIRD RACE:

Fort Moultrie (August 13, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.2h). Grade: B+
Breezing inside Resultant (same time) for new trainer P. D’Amato, final three furlongs in :12.1 and :36.2, strictly on his own through the lane. Seems perked up for an improved effort in his first outing following a $50,000 claim.
View Workout Video

Hometown Hero August 11, Del Mar, 5f, 1:02 TTC D). Grade: B
Asked a bit through the lane in solo grass drill around dogs for new trainer J. Wong, finishing steadily and with something left. In good form and maintains his edge since arriving in California.
View Workout Video


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SEVENTH RACE:

Neige Blanche (August 14, Del Mar, 4f, :47.4h). Grade: B+
Tied in with Agrigento (4f, :50.2h) and proved best late without being asked much, nice drill for grass mare on the main track, final three furlongs in a sharp :36.2. Holds her form and is a prototype marathoner.
View Workout Video


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