Saturday, August 29, 2020

8/29/20 Del Mar Late Pick Four - Preview

"As long as one keeps searching, the answers will come." - Joan Baez

The Grade 2 Pat O'Brien, a seven furlong contest for runners three years old and up, is Saturday's featured race in Southern California.  I'll be taking a look at that contest below, as I take another run at The Late Pick Four at the place Where The Turf Meets The Surf.

RACE 8 - OC 80k B - Five and a Half Furlongs Dirt

A’s

# 7 Desert Law (Morning Line 6-1)

B’s

# 1 Microrithms (ML 3-1)
# 6 Tiger Dad (ML 6-1)
# 8 Surfing Star (ML 6-1)

C's

# 2 Champagneonme (ML 6-1)
# 3 Fight On (ML 4-1)
# 5 Little Juanito (ML 12-1)


Scratch # 4 McKale (ML 5-1)

For those who note such things, three runners in this field are in for the $80k tag: Microrithms, Champagneonme, and Fight On.

Desert Law was through early last time out in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby, and two starts back Desert Law was two lengths back of stablemate Tiger Dad at the wire in the Thors Echo.  But Desert Law was quick in that Grade 1 effort, and Desert Law has won previously over this track; so, while I'm using both on the main ticket, I prefer Desert Law today over Tiger Dad.

Microrithms, trained by Bob Baffert, moves up in class after winning a tight one over this track last time out.  Surfing Star has been on the bench for over a year; but Surfing Star had a sharp five furlong work over this track back on the 15th, and Surfing Star has run well in the past when traveling around just one turn.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 9 - OC 62.5k/N2X - Eight and a Half Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 11 Lincoln City (ML 12-1)

B’s

# 3 One Bad Boy (ML 4-1)
# 4 Order and Law (ML 6-1)
# 9 Border Town (ML 7-2)

C's

# 1 Gregorian Chant (GB) (ML 8-1)
# 2 Maestro Dearte (ML 12-1)
# 5 Route Six Six (ML 15-1)
# 6 King of Speed (ML 12-1)
# 7 Untamed Domain (ML 15-1)

# 8 Brandothebartender (ML 5-1)
# 10 Kazan (Ire) (ML 12-1)

Scratch the Also Eligible, # 12 Fly to Mars (ML 3-1)

Those seeking to make a purchase at the claim box will have to look elsewhere, as (with the scratch of Fly to Mars) none of these runners are in for a tag.

Lincoln City has put together back-to-back solid efforts in his prior two starts, which suggests that Lincoln City might be able to handle the rise in class.  One Bad Boy, winner of the 2019 Queen's Plate, returns to California after being on the bench for an extended period, and has to be respected here.

Order and Law was victorious at this class level over this turf course last time out.  Border Town could be the one running best late.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

RACE 10 - The Pat O'Brien (Grade 2) - Seven Furlongs Dirt

A's

# 5 C Z Rocket (ML 4-1)

B's

# 1 Law Abidin Citizen (ML 5-1)
# 4 Flagstaff (ML 5-2)
# 7 Giant Expectations (ML 7-2)

C's

# 2 P R Radio Star (ML 6-1)
# 3 Manhattan Up (ML 15-1)
# 8 Blameitonthelaw (ML 12-1)

Scratch # 6 Vertical Threat (ML 8-1)

C Z Rocket enters this event with a three race winning streak, all coming since C Z Rocket joined the barn of Trainer Peter Miller.  Law Abidin Citizen can be expected to be speed on the rail.

Flagstaff has been working well for this contest, and can be expected to improve off his prior effort in the Grade 2 Triple Bend.  Giant Expectations missed victory be just a head in last year's running of this event.  The backup "C" Selections are everyone else.

RACE 11 - Clm $32k - Five Furlongs Turf

A’s

# 5 Call You Tomorrow (ML 12-1)

B’s

# 3 Facts Matter (ML 6-1)
# 10 Jan's Reserve (ML 12-1)

C's

# 1 Restoring Dreams (ML 15-1)
# 2 Blackout (Fr) (ML 6-1)

# 4 Pure Comedy (ML 12-1)
# 6 Truth Seeker (ML 6-1)
# 7 Alleva (ML 9-2)
# 9 Combat Zone (ML 8-1)

Scratch # 8 Ultimate Bango (ML 3-1)

Needless to say, the scratch of the Morning Line Favorite has certainly changed the complexion of this contest.  Call You Tomorrow has been working well for his return to competition, and Call You Tomorrow can be expected to improve with the return to one turn racing.

Facts Matter and Jan's Reserve are two that could improve with the cutback in distance.  The backup "C" Selections are the rest of the field.

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

All A Entries

$1.00 P4: 7 with 11 with 5 with 5 $1.00

All A Entries with All B Entries

$0.50 P4: 1,6,7,8 with 3,4,9,11 with 1,4,5,7 with 3,5,10 $96.00

A's with One C

$0.50 P4: 2,3,5 with 11 with 5 with 5 $1.50
$0.50 P4: 7 with 1,2,5,6,7,8,10 with 5 with 5 $3.50
$0.50 P4: 7 with 11 with 2,3,8 with 5 $1.50
$0.50 P4: 7 with 11 with 5 with 1,2,4,6,7,9 $3.00

Total: $106.50

Post Time for Race 8 is 8:40 EDT / 5:40 PDT.  Good luck to all.

Peace and Love,

Jimbo

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