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Today’s card at Del Mar features the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup, a 1 1/2-mile marathon that serves as a rematch of last year’s top finishers. The nine-race program includes a mix of turf sprints, claiming events, and maiden special weights. The Hollywood Turf Cup (Race 7) anchors the card with a field of nine, including defending champion Truly Quality and recent stakes winner Balnikhov. Post time for the first race is 12:30 PM PT.
Weather and Track Conditions
The forecast for Del Mar calls for partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid-60s. The turf course is expected to be Firm, and the main dirt track should be Fast.
Track Bias Assessment:
- Turf: The Del Mar turf course, with its tight turns and shorter stretch, typically favors horses with tactical speed or those that can save ground. In turf sprints (5 furlongs), rail placement is critical; inside posts often have an advantage due to the short run to the turn. For the 1 1/2-mile distance, the start is on the stretch, allowing ample time for positioning, but wide trips on the three turns can be costly.
- Dirt: The dirt surface at Del Mar during the fall meet generally plays fair, though a slight bias toward early speed is often present in sprints. In routes (1 1/16 miles), horses that can secure a forward position without being wide on the first turn tend to outperform deep closers.
Jockey Notes and Insights
- Umberto Rispoli: A turf specialist who excels at saving ground. His mount on Balnikhov in the feature is a key partnership; he knows exactly when to time the run on this specific course. Watch for him on This Name’s Taken (Race 3) and Minister Shane (Race 9) as well.
- Juan J. Hernandez: Dominant on dirt and capable of stealing races on the front end. His presence on speed horses like Flyover (Race 5) and Rastaman Vibe (Race 7) suggests aggressive tactics.
- Kazushi Kimura: Often underbet, he rides patient races that suit closers. His mount on Contrary Chieftain (Race 2) and Mondego (Race 7) will require perfect timing.
Trainer Notes and Insights
- Phil D’Amato: The premier turf trainer in California. His entries in turf races (Balnikhov, Heads in Beds, Arrakis) are automatically contenders. He often brings horses back from layoffs ready to fire, which applies to several runners today.
- Doug O’Neill: Starts the day with Memetic in Race 1. O’Neill’s 2-year-olds can be hit-or-miss, but his claimers and allowance runners (McGregor Lake, Won for Lou) are dangerous when spotted aggressively.
- Jonathan Thomas: Sends out Truly Quality in the feature. Thomas has a high strike rate with layoff runners, especially in graded stakes company.
Best Wagering Strategies and Value Plays
- Best Bet: Race 2 – Sydney Street. Dropping significantly in class to the $5,000 level. If he retains any of his old form, he should outclass this field on dirt.
- Value Play: Race 7 – Balnikhov. While Truly Quality is the defending champ, Balnikhov has the benefit of a recent prep win over the track and distance (Nov 2). He could offer better odds and is currently sharper.
- Turf Sprint Angle: In Race 5, Mucho Del Oro is a graded stakes class sprinter dropping into an optional claimer. He is the speed of the speed and could be an elusive target.
1st Race – Maiden Special Weight
Post Time: 12:30 PM
Pace Analysis
In this 5-furlong turf sprint for 2-year-old fillies, expect a scramble for the early lead. Essential Lady and Memetic show signs of early speed in their pedigrees. Miss Donna draws inside and will likely be hustled to hold position into the turn.
Key Contenders
Essential Lady (Tim Yakteen / Antonio Fresu) looks like a prime contender. Yakteen’s juveniles often improve significantly with a race or two, and the addition of Fresu suggests a tactical trip.
Miss Donna (Michael McCarthy / Umberto Rispoli) pairs a top turf jockey with a barn that excels with young turf runners. Rispoli’s ability to save ground from the inside post is a major asset here.
Secondary Choices
Memetic (Doug O’Neill / Mirco Demuro) represents a dangerous barn. If she breaks cleanly, she could factor early.
Immortal Poet (Robert Falcone Jr. / Umberto Rispoli) is an interesting European import or turf-bred runner. Rispoli is listed on multiple horses here, so check final jockey assignments; if he sticks here, it’s a sign of confidence.
Betting Strategy
Focus on the horses with proven turf pedigrees or connections. A Win bet on Essential Lady and an Exacta box with Miss Donna is a solid approach.
Selections
Win: Essential Lady
Place: Miss Donna
Show: Memetic
2nd Race – Claiming $5,000
Post Time: 01:02 PM
Pace Analysis
My Bucket List and Sea Dog likely show the most early initiative in this small field. Sydney Street can sit close to the pace if asked. The tempo should be moderate, giving an advantage to stalkers who move first.
Key Contenders
Sydney Street (Ryan Hanson / Adrian Escobedo) is the class of the field. A former turf runner who has shown ability on dirt, he is dropping to the rock-bottom $5,000 claiming level. His form from October at Santa Anita suggests he fits well here, and the class relief is massive.
Contrary Chieftain (Tim McCanna / Kazushi Kimura) is a consistent dirt claimer. He rarely runs a bad race and should be closing late. He handles the Del Mar dirt well and is a reliable exotic key.
Secondary Choices
Northern Quest (Jesus Uranga / Mirco Demuro) is an 8-year-old veteran who knows his job. He may not have the upside of the top two but will be grinding away at the finish.
Betting Strategy
Sydney Street looks like a standout single in multi-race wagers. For vertical bets, key him over Contrary Chieftain.
Selections
Win: Sydney Street
Place: Contrary Chieftain
Show: Northern Quest
3rd Race – Maiden Special Weight
Post Time: 01:32 PM
Pace Analysis
Robin With a Why and Lady Chic may show speed in this 5-furlong turf dash. This Name’s Taken has tactical speed and should sit a perfect trip just off the leaders.
Key Contenders
This Name’s Taken (Philip D’Amato / Umberto Rispoli) checks all the boxes: top turf trainer, top turf jockey, and likely the best recent form. D’Amato’s runners in these spots are extremely hard to beat.
Abazaami (Robert Hess Jr. / William Antongeorgi III) adds intrigue. Hess can pop with a price horse on turf, and this one may be ready to improve.
Secondary Choices
Heads in Beds (Philip D’Amato / Antonio Fresu) is the “other” D’Amato. Often these are the ones that offer value while the public bets the Rispoli mount.
Curtsy (Richard Mandella / Kazushi Kimura) represents excellent connections and should be respected if taking money.
Betting Strategy
Win bet on This Name’s Taken. Consider an Exacta Saver with Heads in Beds to cover the D’Amato barn.
Selections
Win: This Name’s Taken
Place: Heads in Beds
Show: Curtsy
4th Race – Maiden Special Weight (Cal-Bred)
Post Time: 02:02 PM
Pace Analysis
Sally’s Wish and Fielders Choice should vie for the lead. In Cal-bred maiden dirt sprints, speed is often the most reliable asset.
Key Contenders
All in the Game (Craig Lewis / Juan Hernandez) gets the services of the meet’s top dirt rider. Lewis is patient, but Hernandez’s presence signals “go”.
Fielders Choice (Librado Barocio / Mirco Demuro) has shown flashes of ability and fits well in this state-bred restricted company.
Secondary Choices
Sally’s Wish (D. Wayne Baker / Serafin Carmona) draws the rail and must go. If she clears, she could be dangerous.
Betting Strategy
Box the top two selections in the Exacta.
Selections
Win: All in the Game
Place: Fielders Choice
Show: Sally’s Wish
5th Race – Allowance Optional Claiming
Post Time: 02:32 PM
Pace Analysis
Mucho Del Oro is extremely fast and should be the clear pace-setter. Patron d’Oro also possesses early zip. If they hook up, it could set up for a closer, but Mucho Del Oro is classy enough to shake loose.
Key Contenders
Mucho Del Oro (George Papaprodromou / Edwin Maldonado) is a graded stakes winner dropping into allowance company. He won the San Simeon and Daytona recently. He is the class of the field and the one to catch.
Sunglow (John Sadler / Umberto Rispoli) will be coming from off the pace. If the speed duel materializes, he will be the beneficiary.
Secondary Choices
Flyover (John Sadler / Juan Hernandez) is a stablemate to Sunglow but likely shows more tactical speed.
Arrakis (Philip D’Amato / Antonio Fresu) is always consistent on this circuit and can pick up the pieces for a minor award.
Betting Strategy
Mucho Del Oro is a strong Win candidate. If the price is too short, play a cold Exacta: Mucho Del Oro over Sunglow.
Selections
Win: Mucho Del Oro
Place: Sunglow
Show: Flyover
6th Race – Starter Optional Claiming
Post Time: 03:02 PM
Pace Analysis
Sendit Mo and Fumano’s Magic look like the primary speed in this 5 1/2-furlong sprint for 2-year-olds.
Key Contenders
Sendit Mo (Peter Miller / Cesar Belmont) comes from a barn that excels with 2-year-old sprinters. The rail draw dictates aggressive tactics.
L Rankin (Peter Miller / Ricardo Gonzalez) provides the Miller barn with a strong 1-2 punch. This one may stalk his stablemate.
Secondary Choices
A. P. Again (Doug O’Neill / Kyle Frey) has the pedigree to improve and could upset the Miller pair.
Betting Strategy
An Exacta box of the two Peter Miller entries (Sendit Mo / L Rankin) is the logical play.
Selections
Win: Sendit Mo
Place: L Rankin
Show: A. P. Again
7th Race – Hollywood Turf Cup (Grade 2)
Post Time: 03:32 PM
Pace Analysis
Balladeer is the dedicated front-runner. In 2023, he led the Breeders’ Cup Turf for a long way. He should clear the field and try to slow the fractions down (25s, 50s). Rastaman Vibe and Mondego will likely track him. Balnikhov and Truly Quality will be content to trail and make one big run.
Key Contenders
Balnikhov (Philip D’Amato / Umberto Rispoli) is in peak form, having won a prep race over this course on November 2. He was 2nd in this race last year and seems poised to turn the tables. His turn of foot is deadly in these marathon races.
Truly Quality (Jonathan Thomas / Mirco Demuro) is the defending champion. He is a horse for the course (won this race in 2024). The only concern is the layoff, as he has been away since the summer. If he’s ready, he’s the horse to beat.
Balladeer (George Papaprodromou / Edwin Maldonado) is dangerous if left alone on the lead. On a firm turf course, he can take them a long way.
Secondary Choices
Nineeleventurbo (Neil Drysdale / Antonio Fresu) was 3rd in this race last year. He is a grinder who will stay the distance but often finds one or two better.
Master Piece (Not in card, listed as scratched/absent). Mondego (Michael McCarthy / Kazushi Kimura) is a solid distance horse who could sneak into the exotics.
Betting Strategy
This race sets up as a tactical battle. Balnikhov has the recency edge over Truly Quality.
Win Bet: Balnikhov.
Exacta Box: Balnikhov, Truly Quality, Balladeer.
Selections
Win: Balnikhov
Place: Truly Quality
Show: Balladeer
8th Race – Maiden Claiming (Cal-Bred)
Post Time: 04:02 PM
Pace Analysis
The Great G and Chief Resident should show speed. Maiden claimers are often chaotic, so look for horses dropping from straight Maiden Special Weight company.
Key Contenders
Chief Resident (Mark Glatt / Antonio Fresu) looks like the most professional runner in the group. Glatt places his horses well, and this spot is realistic.
Matts Advisor (Tim McCanna / Kyle Frey) shows up in the vet/scratch logs previously, suggesting he might have had issues, but if he runs, he fits this level.
Secondary Choices
Moccassin Prince (Tim Yakteen / Armando Aguilar) is a first-timer or lightly raced sort from a good barn.
Betting Strategy
Keep it simple with Chief Resident to Win.
Selections
Win: Chief Resident
Place: Matts Advisor
Show: Moccassin Prince
9th Race – Allowance Optional Claiming
Post Time: 04:32 PM
Pace Analysis
Jetovator and Minister Shane are veteran sprinters who know only one way to go—fast. Momo’s Kiddo can also show speed. The pace will be hot.
Key Contenders
Grazed (Peter Miller / Umberto Rispoli) is a perfect stalker for this setup. He can let the old timers kill each other off on the front end and pounce in the lane.
Jetovator (Peter Eurton / Antonio Fresu) is a 9-year-old marvel. He loves this turf course. If he can shake loose, he can still win, but he faces other speed today.
Secondary Choices
Momo’s Kiddo (Jose Valdez / Serafin Carmona) is a wildcard. If the pace collapses completely, he could be involved.
Minister Shane (Carla Gaines / Umberto Rispoli – check jockey, Rispoli listed on Grazed too. If Rispoli is on Grazed, Minister Shane likely has a different rider or Rispoli chose Grazed). Note: The card lists Rispoli on Minister Shane and Grazed. This is a “double entry” or jockey choice situation. If Rispoli rides Grazed, that is a huge tell.
Betting Strategy
Bet Grazed to Win, especially if Rispoli chooses him over Minister Shane.
Selections
Win: Grazed
Place: Jetovator
Show: Minister Shane
