The summer has come and gone at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club where today is closing day where the “turf meets the surf.” Eleven races are on the slate, including a late Pick 5 sequence that includes a trio of grass races and a pair of sprints at the tricky 6.5-furlong distance. Closing out the meet strong is never a bad idea!


Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.

Race 7:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 9 Uncle Dude
Backups: 6 Golden Ale; 10 Afternoon Nap

Forecast: The pace should be honest in this 5-furlong dash over the lawn, which will make the task for 7-2-ML favorite #6 Golden Ale difficult in his third start of the summer. He has been a faster horse since entering trainer Blaine Wright’s barn earlier this year evidenced by his win and second over this course and distance dating back to July 20, but I expect things to be contentious at the very least on the front end. If I am wrong, he could prove to catch. I do prefer the chances of #9 Uncle Dude. The Volatile colt shook off the rust with a nose defeat versus similar despite a less-than-ideal voyage on August 9. He attracts Flavien Prat and runs this group down with a move forward second off the bench. #10 Afternoon Nap is not without an off the pace shot either. He will have to be ready to fire fresh, but does get back to his preferred surface for veteran trainer Carla Gaines.



Race 8:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 3 Latitude; 6 Kokosan; 5 Modus Bestia
Backups: None

Forecast: Trainer John Sadler holds a strong hand in this MSW for 3YOs+ over the main track where first-time starter #3 Latitude and #6 Kokosan are amongst those with the best chance to earn their first lifetime win. Kokosan holds the experience edge over his stablemate, but has made only one start on the dirt and it came last year. Both he and #5 Modus Bestia have proven not to be world beaters already, but most of the debut runners are likely to need the race. That said, Latitude appears live at first asking. Sadler boasts a strong 7 for 29-record over the last 5 years with 3YO+ horses making their first start in a dirt sprint and this Candy Ride colt will not have to be much to beat this bunch. The Hronis Racing runner comes in off a long series of local drills and attracts Mike Smith.



Race 9: Del Mar Juvenile Turf (G3)
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 5 Hey Nay Nay; 13 Caro Buono
Backups: 6 Classico

Forecast: I am not overly creative in this year’s Del Mar Juvenile Turf where #5 Hey Nay Nay comes back to California after a dominant front-end victory in the Tyro at Monmouth Park. The $300k Keeneland September 2024 purchase has to prove himself at two-turns, but is bred to do so and gets a strong rider in Hector Berrios back aboard. #13 Caro Buono is the one I like most if the pace or distance gets to Hey Nay Nay. The Leonard Powell trainee was done no favors at the draw, but attracts Flavien Prat. She comes in from France with a win and 3 in the money finishes in 4 tries. If you are looking for a big price to include, why not #6 Classico. The Classic Empire colt encountered traffic multiple times in his third-place finish in a MSW in mid-August and is likely to get absolutely overlooked in the wagering.



Race 10:
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 12 Christel Clean
Backups: 3 Don’t Ju Forget; 10 Danzingwith Maxine

Forecast: As you can tell, I am hoping for a big day from the John Sadler barn. That continues in this state-bred optional claimer where he wheels back impressive first out winner #12 Christel Clean. The Violence filly won for fun on August 9 and comes back to the races for a barn that is a strong 11 for 32 with a $2.19 ROI when bringing back debut winners for their second start. The Cal-bred was impressive first out and should move forward here. If not, the other obvious runners with more experience are likely to get the job done. #3 Don’t Ju Forget makes her first start since April for a barn that is 8 for 37 with a $2.34 ROI over the last 20 days. She is live off the layoff while #10 Danzingwith Maxine aims to move forward off a solid runner-up effort at this level last out. She should get a favorable voyage from her outside draw.



Race 11:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 8 Uncle Happy
Backups: 3 Cuban Confusion

Forecast: The meet concludes with a first-level allowance over the sod where I am hoping #8 Uncle Happy can make it two in a row over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. The 4YO gelding adding blinkers last out and bested a field of conditional claimers before being claimed by trainer Leonard Powell. Powell finds a nice spot for his new arrival who is 4 for 10 in his career and should get a nice trip off a likely lively early pace. Let’s close the meet out with a price!