by Brian W. Spencer
August 17, 2025
Sunday's week-ender at Del Mar features the Solana Beach Stakes in Race 7 for Cal-bred turf mile fillies and mares. It's part of our trio of featured plays on the card.
Del Mar - Race 1
#9 Biggiebiggiebiggie: Mild tracking effort in the debut, but I think he'll be able to stretch his tactical pace to a mile with a good draw to find that first-jump spot.
#5 Conducted: He's another who offered only a mild kind of effort at first asking, but there is some upside today while likely not chasing anything like Brant this time around.
#3 Later Than Planned: Decent run from at on debut overseas, and it's tough to discount anything like this that this team sends out. Figure he'll be one of the ones.
Race Summary: Biggiebiggiebiggie might find a good spot right up on the splits while stretching out off an Ellis debut run. Would consider #7 Born to Rock in early multi-race plays, too.
Del Mar - Race 7
#10 Wink and a Grin: Think you can have a little bit of fun in this race, and this one has been a really honest finisher who now meets a group with a decent bit of forward and tactical speed. Could get the last run.
#1 Miso Phansy: She has always flirted with being a good one, and I think she's an obvious player today while dropping out of graded stakes company -- likely at something shorter than the 15/1 ML offering.
#6 Prancingthruparis: Her better stuff has kept her in the frame with some of these, and the move back to the grass gives her a little bit of upside today. Maybe. Just not a lot of enthusiasm either way for me on this one today.
Race Summary: Could easily talk me into going two deep with Wink and a Grin and Miso Phansy, but I think the former is going to offer a better price with a similar profile on running style.
Del Mar - Race 9
#6 Angelica Bay: Think she has come out of a couple of races that might be better than they look at first glance, and she may still have a move forward in her in this third start back. Part of me wants to lean on her pretty hard here.
#10 Willa T: Wouldn't be any surprise to see her bounce back to land this one, and I'm guessing the price will be at least a bit better than it was in the 6/5 dud when dropping in for a tag last out. Player.
#5 Caitlin Fever: She was decent enough in her two route races with better, and her comeback race wasn't all bad. Could build on that while stretching out.
Race Summary: Angelica Bay has a couple of names in her company lines that I like for the special weight level on the circuit, and she won't have to wake up a whole lot to land this on the drop.