We stay at Del Mar today for the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes which is a turf race going a mile and an eighth on the main track. Post time is a later one as this race will go to the post around 9:08 pm Eastern time.
The 9 Johannes (2/1 morning line) is the favorite in tonight’s race and he won the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita at the end of May. This is the first time he is going to go nine furlongs but his pattern is very simple. He’s going to be a few lengths off the pace and show off his closing kick in this race.
The 4 Easter (4/1 ML) finished mid-pack in the Shoemaker last time out and will stretch back out to nine furlongs today for today’s race at Del Mar, which he was able to win on Santa Anita’s opening day in December. He likes this distance, and he might have the strongest closing kick in today’s race.
The 3 Gold Phoenix (6/1 ML) shortened up after a win in the Charlie Whittingham at Santa Anita in the beginning of May and returns today at Del Mar in the Eddie Read. He is 3 for 4 lifetime on the Del Mar turf with a third, and with running one less furlong today, he might be a few lengths further back than the mile and a quarter turf race he won last time.
The 7 Du Jour (5/2 ML) had a belated run in the Shoemaker Mile which the favorite won. He is looking to turn the tables here today but has barely run beyond a mile on the turf. He will definitely be closing if he can get this ninth furlong today.
Also keep an eye out on the 8 Balladeer (20/1 ML). I admit that this horse will probably drop anchor in the final furlong, but he is lone speed in this race. If he doesn’t get the lead, he will definitely be done because he only knows one way to run.
We have a bunch of closers in this race, and most of these horses have a shot here. I will go with Easter to win this here at Del Mar. He didn’t have his typical kick last time out and should be closing best of all. I’ll call this 4-7-9-3 and my play is $20 to win on the 4. Good luck everyone!
QPW Saturday Recap
- The good race/bad race pattern of Fierceness continued as he took over on the final turn to hold off Sierra Leone to win the Jim Dandy at Saratoga. Batten Down finished third in the nine-furlong race.
- Connie Swingle returned from a nearly two-year layoff to win the Daisycutter Handicap at Del Mar. paying $11.20 for her backers.
- Dr. Venkman past heavy favorite Arabian Knight to win the San Diego Handicap. Those that read yesterday’s article and saw yesterday’s “Also Eligible” read and heard about my speculation about bridge jumping. We didn’t get the extreme bridge jumping I was speculating, but we did get some extra juice on those show prices.
- The Chosen Vron took over on the turn and won the Bing Crosby, earning a trip to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in November. He paid $5.00 to win on Saturday evening.
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