by Jeff Siegel
July 27, 2024
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Del Mar 6th Race – Post: 3:53 PT. Degree of confidence: A-
Top Selection: 9-Ready to Dare.
Other Contenders: 1-Cloudy Women.
Forecast: The first timer Ready to Dare is a scopey filly with plenty of talent and on video looks to be a win early type for trainer P. Miller. She had done all of her preparation at San Luis Rey Downs prior to first and only breeze over the Del Mar main track that saw her catch the eye when much the best of a team drill eight days ago in a :47 and change drills that could have much faster if asked at any stage. Drawn comfortably on the far outside in the five and one-half furlong dash, the daughter of Daredevil should be doing her best work in the final stages, so if she can maintain contact to the head of the lane she should be hard to contain late. The one she’ll have to fear most is Cloudy Women, a quick-actioned type leaving from the rail who has been quite impressive in her morning activity for the P. Eurton barn. The daughter of Cloud Computing is a “must use” in the various exotics.
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Del Mar 9th race – Post: 6:00 PT. Degree of confidence: B+
Top Selection: 3-Smart Code.
Other Contenders: 7-Halfway Line (GB); 9-Faustin.
Forecast: Smart Code returns as a first time gelding following an 11 month vacation, and while the possibility exists that he’ll be a bit rusty off the bench, the work tab - both here and at San Luis Rey Downs - says otherwise. The son of Honor Code was a cut below the good sophomores on this circuit last year but could easily be a better type this time around for the M. Glatt barn, which is noted for its powerful stats with the layoff angle. Drawn comfortably inside, he’ll likely inherit a second flight, stalking position, have every chance from the quarter pole home, and is worth a gamble at or near his morning line of 3-1.
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