8/25/18 Del Mar Late Pick Four - Preview

The Grade 2 Pat O'Brien is Saturday's featured race in Southern California; though the event has lost quite a bit of luster this year, as half the field has opted out of the running.  Regardless, I'll be looking at that contest below, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at the place Where The Turf Meets The Surf.

RACE 7 - The Pat O'Brien (Grade 2) - Seven Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 1 Catalina Cruiser (Morning Line 8-5)

B's

# 8 Battle of Midway (ML 8-1)

C's

# 2 Vorticity (ML 20-1)
# 3 Threefiveindia (ML 15-1)

Scratch # 4 Roy H (ML 3-1); # 5 Ransom the Moon (ML 5-2); # 6 Horse Greedy (ML 20-1); # 7 St. Joe Bay (ML 10-1)

Shame that this one got gutted by scratches; but you play the hand you're dealt.  Catalina Cruiser, winner of the Grade 2 San Diego by as many as he wanted last time out, looks best here.  Battle of Midway is making his first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile last year over this main track; and while Battle of Midway looks like he's ready to pick up where he left off last Fall, seven furlongs is probably not his best distance.  The two backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 8 - OC 40k/N1X - Five Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 6 Smiling Angelo (ML 3-1)

B’s

# 3 Ride to the Wire (ML 10-1)
# 4 Cats Blame (ML 6-1)
# 7 Regal Born (ML 9-2)
# 9 Circus Act (ML 8-1)

C's

# 1 Facts Matter (ML 6-1)

# 2 Placido (ML 4-1)

# 5 Stylistics United (ML 30-1)

# 8 My Heart Awakens (ML 20-1)

# 10 Lauren's Lad (ML 8-1)

Scratch the Also Eligibles, # 11 What'sontheagenda (ML 8-1) and # 12 Eskimo Roses (ML 7-2)

Smiling Angelo has been running well enough for Trainer Phil D'Amato that he should handle the move up from state bred to open company; and Smiling Angelo's breeding suggests that he should do fine with the move to the lawn.

Ride to the Wire and Cats Blame are two that could benefit from the cutback in distance.  Regal Born has run well in the past when competing at today's distance.  Circus Act took the Place in his first try on the turf at this class level last time out.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 9 - Clm $20k N3L - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Taniko (ML 5-2)

B’s

# 1 Kona Coast (ML 4-1)

# 7 Run Like Rhett (ML 3-1)

# 8 Bourque (ML 20-1)

C's

# 2 Pappou (ML 6-1)

# 3 We Go Now (ML 10-1)

# 4 Plum Daddy (ML 10-1)

# 5 Shirl's Ready (ML 6-1)

# 9 Premium Forest (ML 15-1)

Taniko goes first off the claim for Trainer Doug O'Neill, who tends to do well with such.  Kona Coast, also trained by O'Neill, could move up with the class drop.  Run Like Rhett fits well at this class level, though Run Like Rhett tends to settle for too many minor awards.  Bourque could improve going third off the layoff.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 10 - MSW - Eight Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 6 Noivo (Ire) (ML 3-1)

# 10 Sellwood (ML 5-2)

B's

# 4 Paladar (ML 5-1)

# 8 Henry County (ML 7-2)

C's

# 1 Breakers Isle (ML 12-1)
# 2 Pointed (ML 20-1)
# 3 Cupid's Claws (ML 8-1)
# 5 Malibu Magic (ML 20-1)
# 7 Cold Brew Kid (ML 30-1)
# 9 Blitzkrieg (ML 12-1)

Novio (Ire) and Sellwood each took the Place in separate contests at this class level last time out.  Paladar could improve with the move to the turf.  Henry County could move up going second off the layoff.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

OK, that's the analysis.  Playing my tickets in modified Crist fashion, I get:

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 1 with 6 with 6 with 6,10 $2.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,8 with 3,4,6,7,9 with 1,6,7,8 with 4,6,8,10 $80.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 2,3 with 6 with 6 with 6,10 $2.00

$0.50 P4: 1 with 1,2,5,8,10 with 6 with 6,10 $5.00

$0.50 P4: 1 with 6 with 2,3,4,5,9 with 6,10 $5.00

$0.50 P4: 1 with 6 with 6 with 1,2,3,5,7,9 $3.00

Total: $97.00

Post Time for Race 7 is 8:05 EDT / 5:05 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo