We head to Del Mar for the Thursday QPW, and today’s race is an optional claiming race going a mile and three-eights on the turf course. The field of nine horses will head to the gate around 7:37 pm Eastern time.
Favored in this field of nine is the 7 City Exile (2/1 ML) who won last month at Del Mar winning while racing along the rail. He will have an outside post today so he will have to work towards the rail but he will be close to the pace today.
The 2 Divin Propos (9/2 ML) was floated wide last month in a shorter turf race at Del Mar, but he did have trouble on the final turn. He was floated out wide and them bumped around on the final turn. Despite all the trouble, he closed well and was part of a blanket finish.
The 4 Offlee Naughty (5/1 ML) drops from graded stakes company in his return here at Del Mar. He did not show much in June in the San Juan Capistrano going a mile and three-quarters and should benefit from the combination of the class drop, the break from racing and shortening of distance here today.
The 5 Maltese Falcon (6/1 ML) was part of that blanket finish in the same race as the 2. He did have problems as well on that final turn and could improve today with a cleaner trip.
City Exile will have speed on both sides of him. The 6 Dean Martini (15/1 ML) and the 8 Calm Sea (8/1 ML). He will have targets to pass as they turn from home. But I think that Offlee Naughty has the back class to win this race in the final months of his six-year-old campaign. I’ll call this 4-7-2-5 and my play is $20 to win on the 4. Good luck everyone!
QPW Update Desk
- It appears that Santa Anita winner Stronghold will be heading to the Pennsylvania Derby next month. Trainer Phil D’Amato cites the $1 million purse versus the $125,000 purse of the Shared Belief Stakes on September 1.
- According to Brad Cox, Dragoon Guard, who defeated Stronghold in the Indiana Derby in July and also won the West Virginia Derby a few weeks ago is also scheduled to start in the Grade 1 race at Parx in September.
- Book ‘em Danno will run this Saturday in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes according to his trainer Derek Ryan. Danno was cross entered in Friday’s Robert Hilton Stakes at Charles Town.
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