Today we head to where “The Turf Meets The Surf” for today’s QPW as it is Pacific Classic Day at Del Mar. We will take a look at the final three races on their 11-race card.
The first two races, the Green Flash Handicap and the Pacific Classic are big races made bigger with the designation of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” bid that the winners will receive. Since the Breeders’ Cup will be at Del Mar this year, these horses get a run over the seaside oval before they close up shop for the summer and head back north to Los Alamitos and Santa Anita.
Del Mar Race 9 – Green Flash Handicap (Grade 3)
First race we will look at is the Green Flash where we have a full field of 12 horses going five furlongs on the turf. The 10 Motorious is the lukewarm 7/2 morning line favorite. He comes back after a two month freshening and won this race last year after a longer layoff. He should be closing here, and with the speed that is in this race, that might be a blessing.
The inside three horses Fast Buck (15/1 ML), Mo Gold (20/1 ML) and the 3 Sassy Nature (15/1 ML) are all going to go for the lead when the gates open. The 4 Daniel’s Magic (12/1 ML) is a gelding that will not go for the lead. He will probably be three to five lengths behind and will be looking to close if there is not any traffic troubles.
Connie Swingle (#9, 9/2 ML) won the Daisycutter Handicap at the beginning of off this meet after an almost two-year layoff. She will be facing the boys here, but I don’t think that will be too daunting of a task. If she improves off of that effort, she will win this fairly easily after stalking and taking over in the stretch.
The 11 Johnny Podres (8/1 ML) closed well in his first race back from a short layoff. He closed very well from the back of the pack to finish second by half a length. A similar race like that one four weeks ago will mean an invitation to the winner’s circle.
I think Johnny Podres will get his nose down at the wire to win this race, getting the Breeders’ Cup invite. I’ll call this 11-9-10-4 and my play is $20 to win on the 11.
Del Mar Race 10 – Pacific Classic (Grade 1)
Next up is the signature race of the Del Mar summer meet, the Pacific Classic and this field will go a mile and a quarter on the main track. The winner of this race will earn a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 2.
We have nine horses entered, but only eight will run. The mare Adare Manor (9/5 ML) was favored for this race, but she will be scratched after tying up after training on Thursday. In other words, the Rutgers Equine Science Center equates tying up to a human getting severe cramps.
Assuming the favorite’s role in this race is the 3 Dr. Venkman (5/2 ML) who took over on the backstretch In his first two-turn race winning the San Diego Handicap last time out last month. His sire Ghostzapper showed he could run a variety of distances, winning from seven furlongs to today’s distance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2004. The breeding is there but will Dr. Venkman get the distance. If he does, it will probably be gate to wire.
If Dr. Venkman goes for the lead, he is going to have company. The 1 Il Miracolo (5/1 ML) has been on the lead in three of his last four races and was on the lead in his first race after a three-month layoff in the Iselin at Monmouth. It is a good sign that he comes back two weeks later, but I am worried about traveling rest on short rest. But if the connections see a reason to come here, then why not?
The 6 Full Serrano (12/1 ML) is probably the fastest of the three front runners and could be gunning for the lead from an outside gate. He might have to throttle that speed down a bit to go this distance successfully.
If there’s a horse that would benefit from a speed duel, it could be the 5 Katonah (8/1 ML), who closed willingly for second in the San Diego Handicap. It was his first race in a year, and if there is additional improvement, which I expect, he might be an upset winner here.
The 2 There Goes Harvard (15/1 ML) might deserve a look here. He is the only horse to win at today’s distance, albeit that was in 2022. He has been racing on the turf, so there is that turf to dirt angle if you are a fan of that angle. But this race doesn’t have a superstar horse that everyone will wager on, so you never know.
Let’s call this race 5-3-2-1 and my play is $20 to win on the 5.
Del Mar Race 11 – Del Mar Mile (Grade 2)
The finale on the card is the Del Mar Mile, and you guessed right, they are going a mile on the turf course. Favored is the 3 Du Jour (8/5 ML) who tired in the Eddie Read last month at Del Mar. That distance might have been too far for him and will love the less real estate he will need to run. He should be closing here if things are right with him.
The 9 First Peace (3/1 ML) won the restricted Wickerr Stakes at this distance at the beginning of the meet and will be closer to the pace than the favorite here. He should have first run at the leaders when they reach the top of the stretch here.
If there is a horse that loves today’s distance, it is the 10 Exaulted (12/1ML) who is 4 for 6 at the distance on the turf with a second. But what is concerning is that he is 0 for 2 this year and hasn’t really been that close. But he has run better against larger fields. Can he wake up here? We will see.
The 4 Almendares (10/1 ML) was in tight quarters at the beginning of the Wickerr last time out at Del Mar and should benefit from a cleaner start. He has closed well in the past and I expect that here today.
I think having first run at the top of the stretch will be huge and I think First Peace will hold everyone off to win here. Let’s call this 9-3-4-10 with a $20 win wager on the 9.
Best of luck everyone, and we will see you in September!
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