Let’s head to the West Coast for an interesting race here at Del Mar. We have two-year-olds going seven furlongs on the main track here in the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes.
Del Mar Race 8 – Bob Hope Stakes
We have six juveniles going here in the Bob Hope, and let’s begin with the 1 McKinzie Street (2/1 morning line). He did not look comfortable last out at the American Pharoah at Santa Anita, but he did face the eventual Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Citizens Bull that day.
The 2 Dr Ruben M (20/1 ML) shortens up after breaking his maiden. There will be more pressure on the front end than last month at Santa Anita. Also concerned about this veering out some at the end there.
The first Bob Baffert trainee in this race is the 3 Kalea Bay (9/5 ML) who won at Santa Anita as a heavy favorite. He stretches out to seven furlongs today for this foray into graded stakes company.
A horse that interests me is the 4 Madaket Road (10/1 ML). He was entered yesterday in a maiden race at Churchill Downs, but Bob Baffert chose to run him here. Seems to me that he likes what he sees from this horse to run at home in Southern California opposed to taking him on the road to Churchill for one of the first times since his CDI suspension ended.
Favored is the 5 Bullard and he won near the end of the Del Mar meet in September defeating Kalea Bay. He returns today in a field where he might have some targets in the stretch.
Finally the 6 Maximus won at Santa Anita last month romping in his debut going gate to wire. He takes a step up in class here in a race with a ton of speed.
Joe’s Pick
There are two horses that I like here. I like the 5 Bullard because he will let the pace meltdown in front of him. I also like Madaket Road. Maybe I am reading too much into the fact that Baffert chose to stay here today? If I am, so be it, because I’ll take Madaket Road, the “other Baffert horse” here to win the Bob Hope. I’ll call this 4-5-1-3 and my play is $20 to win on the 4. Best of luck everyone and see ya in the winner’s circle!
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