DEL MAR
VISARNO
First time starter for under-the-radar trainer Victoria Oliver took some action in this mile turf race for straight maidens. This filly steadied when in tight on the second turn. She then had to swing out for room but closed strong to get up for the win in what was an outstanding effort. We would love to see her comeback one more time on the grass here at Del Mar.
LEMON DE ORO
Was best in this 5 furlong turf sprint but had to be steadied hard when making her winning move. She was then forced wide on the turn and finished fast while one of three on the line. This girl is in top condition and will pop next time out with a clean trip. $$$
SPECTACULAR PROOF
First time starter showed big early speed and led till the end when nabbed on the line. She was claimed for $50k by Robertino Diodoro who will have her spotted for the win next time out.
JIMMY’S DATE
Lost by 29 lengths in his last start at the Oak Tree meet on the Pleasanton dirt but was working over this track in fine fashion and dropping in from straight maiden to $20k claiming. He took the money and went wire to wire. He was claimed by trainer Peter Miller who looks to be going all out to win the trainer’s title here. He will put this gelding in a winning spot next out, probably in a quick return.
PRONTEZZO
Really liked this second time starter who lost by a nose in his first start at the Los Al meet. He went off at almost 8/1 in the betting and we were all over him. Came out leaving the turn and then four wide into the stretch, missing the place by a neck costing us the trifecta and the exacta. Next time no mistakes. $$$$$
ALPHA BULLET
Broke in the air and was off very slow to be dead last and hopelessly beat. He settled nicely off the rail, moving up leaving the second turn, then came four wide into the stretch closing fast to pick up the place money in this nine horse field. This was a real nice effort and this guy has some chutzpah!
MY JEALOUS
The board has been correct a lot at Del Mar so far as the money signals it did on this 4yo gelding for the low profile trainer Victor Fernandez. He claimed this gelding for $10k and then put him in a $12,500 race where he ran 5th. He then put him in for this $16k price and sent him a flat mile – a distance he had never gone before. Now the good: he put on Van Dyke, a big jock switch and he got the big break in the weights. The bad was he had now listed works over the track. Now, at 15/1 on the morning line, and with the scratch or the other speed horse in the race, you could take a shot. He was bet down to 5/1 and went wire to wire to win like a good thing by almost 3 lengths. Those scratches are important; and watch the money.
Richard Saber, a former director of race and sports at the famed Stardust book, is GamingToday’s horse racing and sports handicapper. Follow Richard on Twitter @SabesBet. Contact Richard at [email protected].