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

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DEL MAR SPOTLIGHT RACES:

Eighth Race: Post: 4:00 PT
Top Pick: 4-Spirit of Makena (3-1)

Lightly raced colt followed a sharp debut maiden win with an excellent runner-up performance over this track and distance in a similar first level allowance race, establishing the pace and then proving hard to down while boosting his Beyer speed figure by 11 points into the mid-90’s. Likely the controlling speed in a race that should produce moderate fractions, the son of Ghostzapper has every right to produce another forward move and if not pressured early should be able to dominate gate-to-wire. He’ll get our main punch in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics, with 5-Traeger the one to fear most and a logical exacta partner with our top pick.

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Ninth Race – Post: 4:30 PT
Top Pick: 3-Celestial City (4-1)

New York shipper arrives with a two-race winning streak, a good allowance score in September and then a sharp victory with authority in the Hill Prince Stakes-G3 the following month that produced a career top speed figure. The son of Uncle Mo can really quicken when set down, and from a cozy inside draw the Shug McGaughey-trained sophomore projects to enjoy an ideal second flight, stalking trip and have every chance from there. There’s good value to be found in the win pool and in rolling exotic play at or near his morning line of 3-1.

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DEL MAR RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:

(Races 1-5)
1st race: 12-Ancient Peace; 9-Tea N Conversation; 1-Bolt’s Broad
2nd race: 3-Pittsburgh; 2-Batukhan
3rd race: 1-Thrumps Dream; 2-Buzz of New York; 8-Pharoah’s Song
4th race: 1-Tecumseh Caroline; 3-A Little Bit Crazy
5th race: 2-Lane Way; 6-Whatmakessammyrun; 7-Turn On The Jets

(Races 6-9)
6th race: 5-Mister Beams; 1-Flame Rider; 4-Merit Song
7th race: 11-Liguria; 2-Quickly Park It; 3-Decorated My Life
8th race: 4-Spirit of Makena; 5-Traegar
9th race: 3-Celestial City