Jeff Siegel’s “What You Need to Know”
Del Mar
RACE 7: Post: 3:30 PT Grade: B+
Top Selection/Prime Play: 2-Wishtheyallcouldbe
Backups: none.
Forecast It may be difficult to trust a horse who was a voided claim following a win but in this case Wishtheyallcouldbe should be in good enough shape to repeat her strong performance in a similar optional claimer 10 weeks ago at Del Mar. The work tab is healthy and solid, she’s especially effective at Del Mar, and this race looks made to order for the R. Ellis-trained mare. Claimed for $20,000 two races back and then winning for this price in her first start for her new connections, the daughter of Grazen is perfectly spotted for this six furlong dash that carries a lucrative $55,000 purse. A. Fresu stays aboard and knows her well, so at 9/5 on the morning line she very much looks like a logical rolling exotic single.
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RACE 9: Post: 4:00 PT Grade: B+
Top Selection/Prime Play: 2-Sbagliato
Backups: none.
Forecast: Though he was beaten in a photo as the favorite in his most recent start and is making what might be considered a negative class drop from $30,000 to $20,000, Sbagliato is taking advantage of the restricted (non-winners of three) condition, so we’ll view him favorably in this moderate turf miler for older horses. From a barn that puts its stock where it belongs, the lightly raced gelding earned a career top speed figure when narrowly missing last time out, shows two easy breezes since raced, and should be able to run back to his number from a good inside post with a second flight, stalking trip. At 5/2 on the morning line, the son of Quality Road should have no excuses as a win play on the tote and the main push in the various rolling exotics.
