Exotics plays for the 2021 Del Mar Oaks

An excellent field of nine sophomore fillies will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Del Mar lawn in Saturday’s $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1). The well-matched field features numerous contenders that could impact the race in a major way in what is a fine betting opportunity. I have two horses of particular interest that I will base my wagers around in the top slot.

#3 Going Global suffered her first defeat on U.S. soil when second in the recent San Clemente S. (G2) on the course last time out, but she is still a must use in my opinion. Trained by Phil D'Amato, the import has been stellar since coming across the pond in winning four stakes races in impressive fashion. The Mehmas filly is a three-time Grade 3 heroine who possesses a potent turn of foot, and she is also two-for-two at the nine-furlong trip. Regular pilot Flavien Prat taking the reins once again is a major bonus.

#9 Soaring Sky will make her first run in the U.S. for superb Irish conditioner Jessica Harrington. The bay daughter of Free Eagle is a bit of a mystery in the cast, but I trust that her connections wouldn’t ship in for the race unless she was ready to fire a big shot. The Irish-bred sophomore has won or placed in five-of-seven in her career, and while the outside draw is not ideal, the presence of jockey Florent Geroux helps ease that concern. She could upset the field at a fair price.

I will be using #1 Closing Remarks in the lower rungs of the exotics for conditioner Carla Gaines. The California-bred daughter of Vronsky would be a mild surprise to win the race, but she has gone close to a few of the major players in the field in the past, and she has endured previous success on the strip, as well. Umberto Rispoli rides and will stalk the pace while saving ground aboard the chestnut.

The consistently good #2 Javanica, San Clemente S. (G2) queen #4 Madone, and Chad Brown’s #7 Fluffy Socks also merit a lot of respect in this difficult handicapping puzzle.

Del Mar Oaks exotics wagers

• $2 trifecta 3,9 with 1,3,9 with 1,2,3,4,7,9 ($32)
• 50-cent superfecta 3 with 1,9 with 1,2,4,7,9 with all ($24)
• 50-cent superfecta 3,9 with 3,9 with 1,2,4,7 with 1,2,4,7 ($12)