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Brian W. Spencer: Del Mar Spot Plays | Thursday, July 24, 2025

by Brian W. Spencer

July 24, 2025

Del Mar opens Week 2 of its summer meet and here are my key plays on the card. Be sure to take advantage of 1/ST BET and Xpressbet's Bet $200, Get $20 offer this week when you bet at least $100 each on Saratoga and Del Mar the same day. Register for all promos to take part.

Del Mar - Race 1

#8 Twirling Light: Her only turf sprint wasn't awful, but she didn't show anything else along the way in her final three starts of that campaign last year. Still, I like that she's at the special weight level going short for the comeback. Could see it.

#9 Judicious: Tactical type looked good at this trip last August, and she should be in line for a decent trip while up close if she's ready to go fresh today.

#10 Heads In Beds: She finished up OK in the debut and has some room to come forward at second asking. She's got to turn the tables on Current Affair, but she has way more upside than that filly.

Race Summary; Twirling Light has some appeal for me at an OK price while coming off the bench, as I'm hoping the cutback will help wake her up today.

Del Mar - Race 7

#2 Splendora: Price won't be much here, but I think she's going to be a handful in this spot while turning back to a sprint trip for this one and getting quite a bit of class relief. Should drill these.

#3 Ooty: Get a look at her ahead of this one while returning for a top team -- the team that would make her the 'other' Baffert if that's your kind of thing.

#5 Practical Dream: She should appreciate this softer spot today, and I could see her finding a pretty nice first-over run today. Not out of the question if the top choice can't land it.

Race Summary: Splendora has a class edge on most of these and should be tough to handle after chasing a couple of tough customers in recent starts.

Del Mar - Race 8

#3 Dixie's Delight: This barn dropped a big one here last week and brings this one with some OK form from Los Al out of that last one. Should be her day.

#8 Rockford Peach: She moved forward nicely enough last time out while dropping to the bottom, and she should be in a good spot turning for home with a chance to punch on.

#11 Perfect Life: She was 61/1 in that good effort last time out, and that still leaves her with a little bit of upside with just the one start under her belt so far.

Race Summary: Dixie's Delight can be tough here if she has any additional move forward in her off that good try last time out. Could be playable as something like the second choice.