We head back to Del Mar to close out this week of racing. Today we are looking at the Red Carpet Stakes, which is a Grade 3 race. A field of eight fillies and mares will go a mile and three-eighths on the turf course.
Del Mar Race 7 – Red Carpet Stakes (Grade 3)
Favored in this featured turf test is the 2 Forever After All (2/1 ML). She comes in today after finishing second losing by a nose in the Dowager at Keeneland. She has run well and closed well on the turf in most of her races this year but has been very unlucky. Also, you can argue that her three races that she was off the board had excuses involved.
The 6 Marksmen Queen (4/1 ML) will be in a turf stakes race for the first time in North America today. She has gone for the lead in her three turf races in North America with the last a heartbreaking loss on the lead at Keeneland going longer. She steps up in class today, but the connections see something in her to ship across the country for this race.
The 4 Moment’s Pleasure (5/1 ML) just missed in an allowance race here at Del Mar two weeks ago and returns in this Grade 3 race. She has never gone this far in her career but could but there at the end if she drops back and makes a run just like last race.
The 1 Ima Joker (6/1 ML) took the lead early in an allowance at Santa Anita and never looked back last month. She didn’t show that tendency of needing the lead until that race, so it looks to me she could go back to her regular ways here.
Joe’s Pick
I’m going to try to beat the favorite here Marksmen Queen. Sometimes there is a reason why certain trainers would target a race like this at Del Mar. Graham Motion is one of those trainers. I’ll call this 6-2-4-1 and my play is $20 to win on the 6. Best of luck everyone and I’ll see ya in the winner’s circle!
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