Pick 4 Preview: Del Mar CTBA Stakes – July 19, 2013

photo: Matt Carter

One of the best wagers in the game is the pick-4 and there is no better place in the country to put down a pick-4 than Del Mar. Yesterday’s late pick-4, for $1, paid $276 with a parlay payout of $200.45 for $2. The pick-4 Friday night where the turf meets the surf starts with race five and includes the state-bred CTBA Stakes for two-year-old fillies.

The first leg is a state-bred maiden claiming race for two-year-old fillies and drew a field of ten. The morning line favorite for the five and one-half furlong sprint is Yodelmesomemagic, the runner with the most starts in the field. The daughter of Southern Image is coming off a nose defeat at this claiming price, but in an open fillies race so this is a class drop. The debut runner that is working well is Thunder Bonnet, but she is stuck on the also-eligible list. Beth’s My Babe and Water Issues are a couple of second-time-starters that could be heard from late. Interesting little race that could go a number of ways.

If you want to live on the edge, Little Jerry is a single in race six, an allowance race at eight and one-half furlongs on the turf. The son of Candy Ride exits a strong second place finish at this level last month and the July 7 drill was a beauty. Little Jerry should be right off the speed of Surfcup, who is the second choice in this race with the third choice Pure Loyalty sitting near mid-pack. Those are the three principles. Rookie Sensation is worth a follow, but may be up against it from post ten.

It’s all about Sprouts and Smoove It in the CTBA, a pair of Reddam-owned fillies that were solid at Hollywood Park. Interestingly enough, Sprouts drew the rail and Smoove It drew the outside post. Others to consider are Time for Angie and Harlington’s Rose. Say’s Who is a long shot and should improve off her sixth place debut. Do note that Say’s Who was well bet in that race, shorter odds than Smoove It.

Major Affair drops to get the win in race eight for trainer Ronald Ellis, but this story has been seen before. The gelded son of Officer always seems to find one or two better than him. Spotted Owl is the upsetter and should start at a huge price. Trainer Eric Kruljac is better with second-time-starters than debut runners and the gelding has been working well in the mornings. Sir Searsucker drops from a pair of maiden claimers while Street Choir, Business Section and Raise Ten run first out for top barns. Not an easy way to end the pick-4, but could be a lucrative one if Major Affair gets kicked out of the winner’s circle.

First post Friday is 7:00 pm ET with race five off at 9:00.