Jeff Siegel’s What You Need to Know – Del Mar – 9/8/24
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Del Mar 3rd Race – Post: 2:30 PT. Degree of confidence: B+
Top Selection: 2-Step It Out (Ire).
Other Contenders: 12-They Are For Sale
Forecast: Step It Out (Ire) ran much better than the line will show when finishing 10th of 12, beaten only four lengths, in her U.S. debut in late July. In that two turn affair, the Irish-bred filly didn’t leave cleanly but quickly moved within striking distance of the leaders, remained close up to the head of the lane while in heavy traffic much of the way, then lacked a clear path in the final furlong and was unable to pose a threat despite staying on bravely to the end. Today, she sports the always popular route-to-sprint angle and seems likely to enjoy this abbreviated distance while projecting to settle in the second flight before kicking home when the pressure is turned on. The P. D’Amato-trained filly retains A. Fresu for this maiden special weight affair and will benefit from the patient tactics that surely will be employed so at 4-1 on the morning line she offers a good gamble on the tote and in the various exotics.
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Del Mar 4th race – Post: 3:00 PT. Degree of confidence: A-
Top Selection: 2-Cash Call.
Other Contenders 4-Alanis; 6-Pura Vida Princesa; 10-Aunt Mo.
Forecast: This maiden juvenile dash has the makings of a stronger than par affair, with several of the entrants highly regarded for obvious reasons. It should take a really good filly to win it. Cash Call smoked a quarter mile in :20 1/5 at the OBS April sale without undue pressure, displaying a lovely, quick-actioned style without being knocked about, and then brought $600,000 through the ring. The dam, a half-sister to Jerome S.-G2 winner Express Tour, already has produced Ruthless Stakes winner Strategic Dreams, so with a win early pedigree and a sharp local series of drills since joining B. Baffert’s stable she appears fit and ready for a major effort first crack out of the box. From the first crop of the high class and so far very successful freshman stallion McKinzie, she is 9/5 on the morning line and we hope we can get it.
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