Out Cap Da Shap Daily Pick 4 tickets

Scott Shapiro's Late Pick 4 Tickets at Del Mar

All tickets will be placed for the base value of 50 cents and will be posted after early scratches

 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

After missing out on the Wednesday and Thursday Pick 4’s, I will look to close out the final weekday card of the summer meeting on Friday afternoon. The sequence consists of two grass races and a pair of two-year-old sprints over the main track.

I will build my ticket around two runners in the 5TH race and spread somewhat deep in each of the other three events, which I found to be quite challenging.

Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

A $25,000 open claimer at a mile over the lawn gets the Friday Pick 4 started. I am going to narrow this fillies and mares event down to two runners. #2 Shysheisnot drops in class for red-hot trainer Michael Machowsky and should be prominently placed early. She is the one to beat, but the pace could be contested and if it is #9 Merliore could be the one running on late. Therefore, I will also include the Chris Hartman runner.

Race 6

The 6TH is a starter optional claiming event for two-year-olds which have started for a claiming price of $50,000 or less and which have never won two races. I did not have much of an opinion in this six-furlong event, so I spread six deep and will hope to catch a price in the second leg of the Pick 4.

Race 7

The Friday feature is a high-level optional claimer at five furlongs over the lawn. There are several ways to go in this turf dash, but I landed on #6 Desert Steel as my top selection. This four-year-old filly had a horrific voyage under Tyler Baze in here first start off the bench and still only missed by 2 1/4 lengths in the Daisycutter Handicap over this course earlier this month. With a better trip, she makes a ton of sense. #5 Long Hot Summer also exits the Daisycutter where she finished a hard charging third. I wonder if the five furlongs is not a bit short for her, but will include her on my ticket nonetheless. I will also include her barn mate #2 Lily Pod and #1 Xoxo for the red-hot Peter Miller.

Race 8

An open $50,000 maiden claimer for two-year-olds closes the Friday card. #3 Vending Machine is the one to beat in here for trainer Doug O’Neill. This Hard Spun colt exits a MSW event that produced one of the favorites for the Del Mar Futurity (G1), Straight Fire and should appreciate the drop. He will be tough to beat if he can get out of the gates better than he did in his debut, but this barn has been hard to trust this summer. For that reason I will also use three first-time starters that have trained forwardly for their debut.

Day and Date

Ticket

Leg A

Leg B

Leg C

Leg D

Total Ticket Cost

Friday, September 2

A

2, 9

2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 11

1, 2, 5, 6

3, 4, 6, 8

$96

 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

After a failed effort in Wednesday’s Pick 4, I am back to make amends on a challenging Thursday afternoon card.

I am going to build my ticket around a single in Race 7 and spread deep in the three races surrounding that two-turn turf event.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

The Pick 4 commences with a state-bred MSW event for three-year-olds and upward run at a mile and a sixteenth over the lawn. This one appears wide-open with several ways to go. #2 The Big Train will likely take the most action at the windows and can win, but the son of Peppered Cat has had his chances and is impossible to endorse at a short price. I will spread six deep and hope to catch a price to start the Thursday sequence.

Race 6

The sixth race is another state-bred MSW event, but this one is for fillies and mares going six panels over the main track. I usually have a strong opinion in these types of events, but today I am without one. I will go six deep and hope for the best.

Race 7

The Thursday afternoon feature is an allowance optional claiming event run at one mile over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. #2 Cast in Silver makes her second start off the layoff and goes dirt-to-turf for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. “The Dorf” has had a slow Del Mar meeting, but this City Zip mare’s two turf races to end 2015 both are good enough to win this one. He gives the “leg up” to leading rider Flavien Prat who is almost certain to get this five-year-old into a perfect spot just off the early lead. I will single on my lone ticket and count on Prat to get to the wire first.

Race 8

The Pick 4 sequence concludes with a $32,000 maiden claimer at six furlongs on the dirt. #3 War Ruler is an intriguing first-time starter for trainer Hector Palma. Palma thrives with debut maiden claiming runners, so this Roman Ruler colt is a must use. I will also include class dropper #4 The All Button, as well as three second-time starters with every right to improve, #2 Toy’s Party, #9 Alpha Uno, and #10 Kenzou’s Rhythm.

Day and Date

Ticket

Leg A

Leg B

Leg C

Leg D

Total Ticket Cost

Thursday, September 1

A

1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9

1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9

2

2, 3, 4, 9, 10

$90

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31

Closing week at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club commences with a challenging eight-race Wednesday afternoon card, which of course includes the fifty-cent Pick 4 over the final four races of the day. The sequence includes the featured $75,000 Tranquility Lake for the ladies run at a mile over the main track.

I will attempt to get to the final leg of today’s Pick 4 and rely on my ability to find the winner with two tries in an open $8,000 claimer. I see the potential for some separation in all three of the races before the finale and will hope for a few prices along the way.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

The Pick 4 begins with a two-year-old MSW event for California-breds run at six panels over the main track. 5-2-morning line favorite #9 California Clone comes off an impressive debut for trainer Sean McCarthy. The Lucky Pulpit gelding finished a strong second to a nice looking Jerry Hollendorfer runner named Elwood J and draws well to the outside for his second career start. Rafael Bejarano takes over riding duties in this spot making this Oakcrest Stable runner the one to beat. However, there are several in here that are in with a chance. #10 Highly Acclaimed trained extremely well and took a ton of support at the windows in his debut for trainer Carla Gaines. However, he broke a bit slow, rushed up the rail and faded badly on a day where the inside was definitely not the place to be. The Acclamation colt draws outside the favorite and should improve immensely today. I also give a look to a few second-time starters that should provide some decent value kicking off the sequence. #2 Drinks At Sunset, #5 Closing Time and $6 Boo Boo Bear all ran decent in their debut and could spring a minor upset in the fifth.

Race 6

The sixth race is a high level optional claiming event at five furlongs over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. I will spread deep in this solid group of grass sprinters, but my top choice in here is #1 Holy Lute. The six-year-old veteran has not won since last August, but drops out of stakes company for the red-hot James Cassidy barn in a spot that appears void of early speed for a race of this nature. If Jamie Theriot can get this son of Midnight Lute out of the gates from his inside draw, he could be amongst the early leaders and take advantage of the rails being out at 24 feet. I also like the spot for #5 No Silent. The seven-year-old makes his second start off the layoff for trainer Gary Mandella and has shown an affinity for this course. He should sit a nice stalking trip under new rider Santiago Gonzalez. #2 Jimmy Bouncer has not been since a last place effort in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint last Halloween. He has been gelded since his last start and should be prominently placed early for trainer Doug O’Neill. #9 Secreto Primero moves up in class off a powerful win over this course earlier this month. He is in great form and is definitely worth including. #8 McHeat is a wild card off the bench for trainer Craig Lewis. This Unusual Heat gelding has been training well and I will include in a very challenging event where trip will likely decide the winner. Finally, I will include #4 Lilly’s Finale at a big price for Peter Miller and Rockingham Ranch. Perhaps this one is live, with the scratch of stable mate Calculator.

Race 7

The seventh is the aforementioned $75,000 Tranquility Lake. #3 Vale Dori is the 6-5- morning line favorite for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. This four-year-old filly chased a game Gloryzapper in her Stateside debut on August 3rd and appears well spotted in this restricted stakes event. She is a must use, but I do not trust her enough to single her at a short price. #2 The Dream is an intriguing wild card. The Chilean-bred filly took on Stellar Wind and Beholder in her first try in the States on July 30th and drops into a more realistic spot on Wednesday. She will have to run much better to contend with Vale Dori, but has trained well in Southern California for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and is worth including at a price. #6 Makena has not been seen since rattling off two straight wins this spring at Santa Anita Park. She has been training very well at San Luis Rey for her return and has every right to make it three in a row for trainer Scott Hansen. I will include all three of these fillies on both tickets.

Race 8

The finale is an open $8,000 claimer run at six furlongs over the main track. I will try to get through this sprint with just two runners. #4 Senza Fina drops back down to $8K after a failed effort at $12,500 earlier this month. Leading rider Flavien Prat gets the call for the first time on this City Zip mare. #7 L.A. Magic has not won in over a year but seems well spotted. Trainer Gary Stute is having a great meet with limited starters and the rider switch to apprentice Chad Lindsay is appealing. Hopefully these two are enough.

Day and Date

Ticket

Leg A

Leg B

Leg C

Leg D

Total Ticket Cost

Wednesday, Augsut 31

A

2, 5, 6, 9, 10

1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9

2, 3, 6

4, 7

$90

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26

I look to rebound on Friday after just missing with a 20-1 shot in the seventh race on Thursday costing me a second consecutive solid score.

The penultimate Friday card of the meeting is headlined by the $100,000 Shared Belief Stakes run at one mile over the main track. The Shared Belief was cut down in size due to a few significant scratches, but still is a solid feature and makes up the third leg of the Pick 4 sequence.

I will build one ticket on Friday, as opposed to the two tickets I have played over the past few days, as I found it very difficult to find a single I was confident in rolling with.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

The Pick 4 sequence starts with a MSW event for fillies and mares at six furlongs over the main track. I am taking a stand against 5-2-morning line favorite #8 Breathe. This John Sadler conditioned daughter of Haynesfield could win, but she has had no excuses in her first two starts. At a short price, she is worth trying to beat. Amongst my four options, I will use first-time starter #1 Perfect Pic for James Cassidy. Cassidy is having a strong meet and this filly is out of a mare that won her debut. The rail is tough, but hopefully Santiago Gonzalez can navigate a favorable trip. I will also include #2 Dama Fina for Marty Jones. This Macho Uno filly ran well in her debut and should move forward in this spot. #3 Untouchable U makes her first start for trainer Richard Baltas and is a tough read, as is #5 Escapee off a long layoff for Bob Baffert, but I will use both defensively in an attempt to take down the favorite, Breathe.

Race 6

A very contentious open $40,000 claimer at five furlongs over the turf makes up the second leg of Friday’s Pick 4. I am against the 3-1-morning line favorite #3 Rangi. My top choice is #5 Sirocco Strike going second off the lengthy layoff and moving off the rail for trainer Jeff Mullins. I love that this nine-year-old gelding retains the services of leading rider Flavian Prat. I will also include late running #1 Jazzy Josh, #2 Hot Market and #9 Wildfire Kid. Wildfire Kid has won 3 of 4 since being claimed by Mark Glatt. He got a perfect trip in his last win on July 27th, but could do so again in this spot.

Race 7

The aforementioned Shared Belief Stakes comprises the third leg of the Pick 4. The race named for the superstar son of Candy Ride is for three-year-olds and goes to post at approximately 6:30 PM local time. I am not too creative in here. I give the slight “nod” to #10 Accelerate, but also respect both Jerry Hollendorfer entrants #2 Taman Guard and #9 Who’s Out. The wild card to me is #11 Mishegas. If the pace is contentious, this Include gelding should be finishing well.

Race 8

The finale is a rock-bottom maiden claimer at seven furlongs over the main track. I prefer #1 Sundar Creek making her second start for trainer Bob Hess, Jr, but am concerned about the rail draw, so I will also include #5 Yavrig and #10 Buzzer Beater. Yavrig was game in defeat a few weeks back for trainer Richard Baltas and appears to moving in the right direction. Buzzer Beater certainly has had her chances, but the Chris Hartman barn has really heated up and this one draws well to the outside with Santiago Gonzalez aboard.

Day and Date

Ticket

Leg A

Leg B

Leg C

Leg D

Total Ticket Cost

Friday, Augsut 26

A

1, 2, 3, 5

1, 2, 5, 9

2, 9, 10, 11

1, 5, 10

$96

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25

After hitting the Pick 4 yesterday, there is $2,000 on the line on Thursday in the “Out Cap Da Shap” contest. Another challenging sequence is offered that includes two allowance optional claiming events, a two-year-old MSW race and a conditional claimer to complete the day.

I will build one of my tickets around a 6-1 morning line runner in the sixth race and around my top two runners in the fifth and hope to get lucky late in the card.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

A two-turn allowance optional claimer over the main track gets things rolling in Thursday’s Pick 4. My top selection in here is #6 Enduring Erin. This six-year-old mare is 5 for 29 lifetime, including a 2 for 4 record with one second over this surface. The barn switch to Richard Baltas is certainly an upgrade, as is the move back to jockey Flavian Prat. I also like the look of #2 Gracie Ragazza. This five-year-old mare is in good form and likely regressed a bit off a career best effort in June last time out when running into the razor sharp Desert Madam. Kent Desormeaux should have this daughter of Eddington in the right spot when they turn for home. #7 Dis Smart Cat is the morning line favorite and I have my questions in terms of her ability at two turns and her ability to win outside the state-bred ranks, but she could be loose on the lead. I will include her on one of my two tickets.

Race 6

A one-mile event for two-year-old maidens makes up the second leg of the Thursday afternoon sequence. I really like the look of #8 Vibe in this one for trainer Keith Desormeaux. Like most from this barn, this Astrology colt appeared to need his first start. He will try two turns in his second career effort and retains Keith’s brother, Kent in this spot. I expect a big step forward against a very beatable group. I will single him on one ticket and will include #1 Plum Dandy and #3 Term of Art on the second one.

Race 7

The seventh is a five-furlong sprint over the lawn for fillies and mares. I found this race challenging and for that reason will spread on both tickets. I will use my top options #6 Madame Mousse, #3 Not too Shiny, and #8 Easy Grader on both tickets and include #1 Whisk, #2 Cover Song and Italian-bred #4 Little Treasure on just one of them.

Race 8

The finale is a $16,000 non-winners of two event at a mile and a sixteenth over the main track. This is a “grab bag” of sorts, so I will use half the field and hope for the best. #5 Gramsson appears the best of the “speeds.” While #1 Clude, #6 Big Discovery, #7 Lamu, and #8 Tough Emblem could take advantage of what should be an honest early pace.

Day and Date		Ticket		Leg A		Leg B		Leg C		Leg D		Total Ticket Cost
Wednesday, August 24		A		2, 6, 7		8		1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8		1, 5, 6, 7, 8		$45
		B		2, 6		1, 3, 8		3, 6, 8		1, 5, 6, 7, 8		$45
												$90

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24

Just two weeks to go at the Del Mar summer meeting and a decent eight-race card is on tap to start the racing week, including two heats of the $75,000 Harry F. Brubaker Stakes. They are both included in the Wednesday Pick 4, along with two challenging races surrounding the co-features making it an appealing sequence.

I will build two tickets for Wednesday afternoon based around logical singles in both heats of the Brubaker and spread in the other legs that appear much more wide-open.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

The Pick 4 commences with the first heat of the Harry F. Brubaker run at one mile over the main track. #5 Soi Phet is the one to beat in this spot for trainer Leonard Powell. The eight-year-old veteran loves the course, has had success at the eight- furlong distance and retains the services of Kent Desormeaux. He will be tough to beat and will be a single on one of my two tickets. If he and #1 Kristo go at it on the front end and struggle to finish like they both have quite a bit in their careers, #2 Grazen Sky and #3 Solid Wager are the ones likeliest to hit the wire first and provide much greater value than Soi Phet. I will use them on the second of my two tickets.

Race 6

The sixth race is a MSW event for three-year-olds and upward run at five furlongs over the lawn. I found this to be one of the more challenging races on Wednesday’s card. #4 Lori’s Attitude is the 9-5-morning line favorite based on two runner-up finishes at Santa Anita down the hill. I will use her, but do not trust this Temple City filly. Trainer Carla Gaines has had a poor meet to date after a solid meet in Arcadia, plus it remains to be seen whether this filly’s form will translate to the five-furlong distance. Given my lack of excitement over the morning line favorite, I will also include several others.  #2 Could Be Magic, #3 Prevailing and my top pick #8 Vivacious Beauty will be on both tickets and I will throw in #7 White Rock Lake and #1 Djibouti on one of them.

Race 7

The seventh is the second heat of the $75,000 Harry F Brubaker. #1 Conquest Cobra has impressed me immensely in his last two starts, including a career best effort last time out over this racetrack at seven panels. He has trained well since his last start and looks to make it three in a row for trainer Vladimir Cerin. He is the one to beat without a doubt and will be the single on my second ticket. If he fails to keep his form in his first try versus stakes company, I think several others could hit the wire first. #2 Magic Mark makes his second start off the layoff for trainer Ron Ellis and is 3 for 5 at the distance. #7 Blue Tone and  #8 Avanti Bello have had success over this surface and are worth consideration and #4 War Envoy is a reach, but at a big price is worth including in an attempt to “bust out” in the sequence.

Race 8

The finale is a contentious open $25,000 claiming event at six and a half panels over the main track. There are several ways to go in this race, including multiple runners that present solid value that could get the job done. For that reason, I will spread five deep to close the sequence. I will include a few runners making their first start for new barns #7 Tim’s Go Girl, #9 Revenue Virginius and #11 Miss Bliss. I also will include #10 Desert Thief going turf-to-dirt and stretching out a furlong and a half for trainer Bill Spawr and the outside drawn #12 Avicii making her second start for trainer Chris Hartman. After a rocky start to the meet, Hartman has got things going during the second portion of the Del Mar meeting and draws well to the outside in this spot. At anything near 12-1 this City Zip mare is worth a win bet on.

Day and Date		Ticket		Leg A		Leg B		Leg C		Leg D		Total Ticket Cost
Wednesday, August 24		A		5		2, 3, 4, 8		1, 2, 4, 7, 8		7, 9, 10, 11, 12		$50
		B		2, 3, 5		1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8		1		7, 9, 10, 11, 12		$45
												$95

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20

Pacific Classic Day is upon us and Del Mar has a wonderful 11-race card headlined by the meet’s premier event. The Classic makes up the second leg of a strong Pick 4 sequence that commences with the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap in Race 8. Let’s get to it.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 8

The Del Mar Handicap is one of the more challenging races on the Saturday afternoon card. I respect the top two betting options in this mile and three-eighths event on the grass, but I also see a couple of price runners that could pull off the upset. #8 Ashleyluvssugar is the deserving 3-1-top choice on the morning line going third off the layoff for trainer Peter Eurton. With a good trip, he certainly should be there at the wire. #7 Flamboyant makes his second start since returning from Dubai for trainer Paddy Gallagher. He is also a major contender, but his 0 for 5 record over this surface is quite concerning. I will include both of them, but my top choice in here is #3 Wanstead Gardens. This Flower Alley gelding loves the Jimmy Durante Course, can run all day and gets a positive rider change to Santiago Gonzalez. At 12-1 he is a horse I will be gambling on. I also give a long shot look to #11 Patentar. The French-bred son of Teofilo has improved immensely in his last two starts for trainer Simon Callaghan and with further improvement he can run with this group. #6 Express Himself is a wild card for trainer John Sadler and Hronis Racing. This five-year-old has 4 wins and 21 starts and with the hot riding Victor Espinoza onboard he is worth including.

Race 9

The ninth is the one million dollar Pacific Classic. The ten-furlong event features three of the top older horses in the game in #1 California Chrome, #7 Beholder and #8 Dortmund. For detailed analysis of my thoughts on the race refer to my “How to Bet the Pacific Classic.”

I will build my Saturday Pick 4 ticket around California Chrome and Dortmund. If one of these two do not win, neither will I. Dalmore is a wild card, but his best is still likely only good enough for an underneath finish.

Race 10

The tenth is a high level optional claiming event at a mile over the lawn. #3 Into the Mystic makes his first start in the States and in 2016 for trainer Richard Mandella and Fox Hill Farms. The Galileo filly was 3 for 7 in France for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget and must be respected for these connections. If this filly does not fire, there are a number of ladies that can get to the wire first. I will spread five deep and hope for the best.

Race 11

The finale is an open $25,000 claimer at one mile over the main track. #2 Carlsbad Mountain is the one to beat in this two-turn event making his first start off the claim for Peter Miller and Rockingham Ranch. The seven-year-old gelding has two wins and a runner-up finish in three starts over this surface. I just am a bit concerned about his potential trip, so I will include a few others that provide greater value. #6 Alex Rossi ran admirably at $32,000 last month over this surface, but ran into a big class dropper, Dream Team. I expect another solid effort from this son of Freud third off the layoff. I will also include the eight-year-old #7 Spud Spivens and #11 Mystery Train.

Day and Date

Ticket

Leg A

Leg B

Leg C

Leg D

Total Ticket Cost

Saturday, Augsut 20

A

3, 6, 7, 8, 11

1, 8

1, 2, 3, 6, 9

2, 6, 7, 11

$100

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19

After a poor showing on Wednesday and Thursday, I will try to salvage the weekday Pick 4 plays at Del Mar and head into Pacific Classic Day with some momentum.

Friday’s sequence is decent, but it was hard to find double-digit runners with significant chances The larger of my two tickets will revolve around getting one of my top two picks home in the fifth race, while the smaller will depend on a single in the finale.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

The Friday Pick 4 commences with a starter allowance event at one mile over the lawn. I am going to live and die with two runners on my main ticket in this one. #6 Aeon has been gelded since his last start and gets a huge rider upgrade to Flavian Prat for his second try over the turf. He should sit a great trip and move forward in his third start off the layoff. He is my top choice. I will also include the six-year-old gelding Royalist. The son of Poteen goes second off the short layoff for Vann Belvoir and retains Rafael Bejarano. I will include #1 Fin de Semaine on the smaller of my two tickets.

Race 6

The sixth is a $40,000 maiden claimer for two-year-old fillies at five and a half furlongs over the main track.  My top two picks in this one are first-time starters. #2 Gemini Journey goes out for the red-hot Mike Machowsky barn and is the one to beat. #8 Informant also looks like she can run a bit for trainer Eddie Truman. I will also include second-time starter #5 Broken Marriage. This filly goes first off the claim for trainer Brian Koriner and adds the blinkers after taking significant money in her first career try.

Race 7

The Friday feature is the CTT and TOC Handicap. The $75,000 event is conducted at a mile and three-eighths over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course and drew a field of seven fillies and mares. This race was tough for me to figure out, so I spread out on both tickets. I give significant chances to #3 Annulment and #5 Frenzified. They both should provide decent value in the sequence.

Race 8

The finale is an $8,000 open claimer at one mile over the main track. #4 Alltheleavesrbrown is my top choice in this two-turn event. The four-year-old gelding makes his first start off the claim for trainer Ian Kruljac. If he does not win, I think several are in with a chance. I will single Alltheleavesrbrown on one ticket and spread deep on the bigger one.

Day and Date		Ticket		Leg A		Leg B		Leg C		Leg D		Total Ticket Cost
Friday, August 19		A		1, 6, 7		2, 5, 8		ALL		4		$27
		B		6, 7		2, 5, 8		3, 4, 5, 6		2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10		$72
												$99

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18

After missing out on a juicy payout of over $2400 for a fifty-cent Pick 4 winning ticket on Wednesday, I am back on Thursday looking to redeem myself as we look ahead to Saturday’s Pacific Classic.

I will build the larger of my two tickets around a duo of second-time starters dropping in class in the eighth race and the smaller of the two around Terry’s Tom Cat in the seventh.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

A starter allowance event for non-winners of two races at a mile over the turf course begins Thursday’s Pick 4 sequence. With the rails out at thirty feet again, the advantage in races over the lawn will go to those prominently placed. #7 Watch This Cat and #10 Midnight Swinger appear the likeliest winners. I will also use #6 Papa Mambo at a price on both tickets. This Papa Clem filly appears to be rounding into form and goes out for the same connections that brought home the winner in the sixth race on Wednesday’s card, Jamie Theriot and Brian Koriner. I will also include #1 Marriedtoaminister and #9 Do the Dance on one ticket.

Race 6

A conditional claimer for non-winners of two lifetime makes up the second leg of the Pick 4.  These races can be some of the most difficult to decipher on the Southern California circuit, but I prefer #1 Lob City in this spot for trainer Craig Dollase. Edwin Maldonado returns to ride this Temple City filly that does not have much to beat on the drop out of starter allowance company. I also give big looks to #7 Appealing Lady and #9 Katy Drama and will include #6 Trinitys Turn on one of my two tickets.

Race 7

The seventh race is an allowance optional claiming event at a mile and a three-eighths over the lawn. #10 Terry’s Tom Cat draws in off the Also Eligible list and is the one to beat. This five-year-old gelding is 2 for 3 over the Del Mar turf, has won at this distance and should sit a great trip under jockey Mario Gutierrez. I will single him on one ticket and spread deep on the other. If Terry’s Tom Cat does not win, I think it’s a wide-open affair.

Race 8

The Thursday card closes with a state-bred maiden $50,000 claimer for two-year-old fillies at six furlongs over the main track. #5 Starr of Quality and #6 Hotflickarue both make their second start and drop out of MSW company. I think one of the two will be good enough to hit the wire first. I will also include #7 It’s Not So Easy and #11 Coco Smooches on the ticket where I am singling Terry’s Tom Cat on, but if you are on a limited budget I would roll with just my top two choices to close out the sequence. 

Day and Date		Ticket		Leg A		Leg B		Leg C		Leg D		Total Ticket Cost
Thursday, August 18		A		6, 7, 10		1, 6, 7, 9		1, 6, 8, 9, 10		5, 6		$60
		B		1, 6, 7, 9, 10		1, 7, 9		10		5, 6, 7, 11		$30
												$90

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17

Pacific Classic week is upon us at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. What a week it should be! Let’s get the bankroll “padded” for the big card on Saturday.

For Wednesday’s sequence I will build my ticket around two horses in the featured Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo and hope to catch a few prices in the races surrounding the six and a half furlong sprint over the main track.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

The Wednesday afternoon Pick 4 commences with a $40,000 maiden-claiming event for two-year-olds at six panels. #1 Howdy Kingkowboy ran well in his debut off sub-par workout reports and should move forward in this one with Kent Desormeaux getting the “leg up.” However, the rail draw is far from ideal. #4 Supreme Giant drops in class and has been gelded since his last start. He is the most likely winner, but not one I have a lot of confidence in. Therefore, I will spread deep and hope for a price in the first leg.

Race 6

The second leg of the Pick 4 is a state-bred allowance event at a mile and a sixteenth over the lawn. The rails are out at 30 feet over the turf course once again, which benefits horses that are prominently placed early. #2 Kennedie Sky was my top choice in this spot, but the placement of the rails has made me downgrade her chances. #3 Out Ofthe Ordinary ran very well over this course against open company maidens on July 29th and has a big chance to win right back in this group. She is my top pick. I am not crazy about #5 Summer Lady as a runner, but the rails being out gives this 5-2-morning line favorite a shot to hit the wire first. I will use her defensively, as well as long shot #8 Sea Smoke for Richard Baltas and Little Red Feather Racing.

Race 7

The featured Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap makes up the third leg of the sequence. The $100,000 sprint for fillies and mares will be conducted at six and a half furlongs over the main track. #3 Sensitively is a very fast filly that is the one to catch in Wednesday’s feature. I will make her my top pick and also include #5 Pretty N Cool. This Scat Daddy filly was very impressive in her first start “off the bench” for Bob Baffert and has every right to move forward in this one. #2 Tara’s Tango is the class of the field, but prefers two turns. I think trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is likely using this one as a prep for the daughter of Unbridled’s Song.

Race 8

The finale is a state-bred MSW event at one mile over the turf. I will use four in this leg including #1 He Could. This five-year-old gelding put forth a game runner-up finish against open company on July 31st and adds the blinkers for trainer Kenneth Black. I will also use #2 Burnie’s On Board, #3 Monterey Shale, #4 Evicted, and #6 The Big Train. The Big Train gets the services of jockey Flavien Prat for the first time in this one, which can be quite a difference maker on the turf.

Day and Date

Ticket

Leg A

Leg B

Leg C

Leg D

Total Ticket Cost

Wednesday, Augsut 17

A

1, 2, 4, 5, 7

2, 3, 5, 8

3, 5

1, 2, 3, 4, 6

$100

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12

After a Thursday with three logical winners grinding away victories and my single running terribly, I am back looking to close out the week day cards in what is a nice Friday sequence headlined by the $75,000 Green Flash Handicap.

I will go with the two-ticket approach today singling the not so reliable #7 Radio Silent in the sixth. He goes second off the layoff and should sit a perfect trip in a race that appears to have quite a bit of pace signed on. The other ticket will not have a single, but will rely on the two logical runners in the finale to get to the wire first.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

The sequence starts with a MSW event for two-year-old fillies over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. #5 Blame It On Alphie is a half to productive Mandella runner Twentytwentyvision and appears to have some talent based on the morning reports, but may need a race. #3 Go Argento is another first-time starter that appears to have some ability for a barn that is capable of winning with debut runners going a route of ground first time out. They are my top two in here, but I will spread on both tickets as they are both very difficult to trust.

Race 6

The sixth is a starter allowance event at a mile over the main track for runners that have never won two races. #7 Radio Silent has a victory and three runner-up finishes in seven starts, so there is some concern regarding his desire to win races, however he makes his second start off the form cycle and should sit a great trip in this one. I will single him in on one ticket and hope he runs by them all late and then I will include #2 Spitfire and price play #4 Lamaan on the other one.

Race 7

The featured race on Friday is the $75,000 Green Flash Handicap run at five furlongs over the lawn. This is a fun race. #1 Hunt is the one to beat based on talent, but I wonder if five-eighths of a mile is a bit too short. Also, the rail is far from ideal. #2 No Silent loves this course and distance and is a major player if ready off the three-month respite. #6 Richard’s Boy is a perfect 2 for 2 at this distance, including a win at Del Mar. If ready off the bench, he is certainly in with a big shot. I will use those three on both tickets and then spread to a few others on the ticket I can afford it on.

Race 8

The Friday finale is a state-bred MSW race for two-year-olds at five and a half furlongs over the main track.  #9 Close to Midnight is my top pick in this one. This Midnight Lute colt took a ton of money in his debut for a barn that rarely wins first out. Trainer Craig Lewis takes the blinkers off for his second start and he draws well to the outside. #3 Highly Acclaimed has been working very well for his debut and will be on both of my tickets as well. I will also use long shot #10 Boo Boo Bear on one ticket. Trainer Hector Palma is capable of popping first out and the price should be right.

Day and Date		Ticket		Leg A		Leg B		Leg C		Leg D		Total Ticket Cost
Friday, August 12		A		3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8		7		1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8		3, 9, 10		$54
		B		3, 4, 5, 7		2, 4, 7		1, 2, 6		3, 9		$36
												$90

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11

After a formful day that included a few runners I gave good chances to, there is a carryover in the “Out Cap Da Shap” contest.

My chances of hitting the Pick 4 today will be based on the success of #6 Run Like the Boss in the seventh race. If she wins that five-furlong turf sprint, I hope to connect. If she fails, so will I.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

The first leg of Thursday’s Pick 4 sequence is the second heat of a rarely seen condition at Del Mar. A $16,000 starter allowance at a mile over the turf offers handicappers several ways to go and was a real “head scratcher” for me. I will spread deep and hope for a price. #8 Back to Bako makes a lot of sense and is my top choice, but I find it hard to trust a horse that has not won over the surface and has not hit the wire first since June of 2015.

Race 6

The sixth is a MSW event for three-year-olds and upward going five and a half furlongs over the main track. Two first-time starters look like the ones to beat in here, but both head out for barns that have yet to win a race at the Del Mar summer meeting. #4 Her Royalness and #8 Secret Thorn have both reportedly been working well and are in with big shots, but I will also include #5 Funny Paper, #10 What a Stormkat and long shot #11 My Aunt Tillie.

Race 7

The third leg is a five-furlong turf sprint for Cal-bred fillies and mares. Last time several of these runners competed at this condition, the race saw a few that had troubled trips paving the way to victory for long shot Miss Loujean. The one with the biggest excuse in there was #6 Run Like the Boss. This Peter Miller filly moves off the rail in her second start of the form cycle and is my top play in this event. I will single her and hope that Norberto Arroyo, Jr can continue to ride this turf course well.

Race 8

The Thursday finale is a rock-bottom maiden claimer at one mile over the main track. I found this to be another difficult race in a sequence that could result in a nice payout. I respect the class dropper #4 Clickjab and a few that hit the board in their last start at this level, #1 Coltonsgrace and #5 Adir, but will spread deeper and hope I can get to the payoff leg and be alive to some nice numbers.

Day and Date

Ticket

Leg A

Leg B

Leg C

Leg D

Total Ticket Cost

Thursday, Augsut 11

A

3, 4, 5, 6, 8

4, 5, 8, 10, 11

6

1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

$100

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10

It is hard to believe we are starting the fifth week of the Del Mar summer meeting! Let’s get this week started with some winners!

The Wednesday Pick 4 sequence is a decent one that includes three maiden events and a high-level optional claiming sprint over the main track. I will build two tickets today. One will narrow down the seventh to the morning line favorite #3 Heir of Storm and my top selection #6 Kafister. The smaller of the two tickets will single class dropper #3 Albeit in the fifth race, allowing more coverage in a couple of the trickier events.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

The sequence commences with a bottom level maiden claimer at one mile over the main track. #3 Albeit has tried MSW company ten times without much success and takes the big drop for trainer Doug O’Neill. O’Neill has struggled thus far at Del Mar and is likely just looking for wins at this point. Albeit has always trained better than she runs in the afternoons. Maybe the drop will wake this Mineshaft filly up. I will single her on one ticket and use #6 Starring Role, #7 Too Much Drama, and #9 Pam’s Joy on the larger one.

Race 6

The sixth is a two-year-old MSW event over the lawn. There are several ways to go in this competitive two-turn race over the turf. My value play in this spot is #7 Irish Goodbye. The Hat Trick colt was off slowly and never got into the race in his debut on July 24th. I expect significant improvement on Wednesday for a barn that never has their runners “cranked” for their first start. I also like the look of #1 Lucky Whalen, a full brother to the second place finisher in last weekend’s La Jolla Stakes, Lucky Bryan. He should improve in his first try at two turns over the lawn. #4 The All Button has not done much running in his two starts over the dirt, but is a $250,000 March 2016 OBS purchase that has shown ability in the morning. #9 Billy Big makes his first start in the States for trainer Phil D’Amato and Little Red Feather Racing. I will use all four of these colts on both of my tickets and then include #3 Cedar Rapids and #8 Van Cortlandt on one of them.

Race 7

The third leg is an allowance optional claiming event at six and a half furlongs over the main track. A talented, but compact group of veterans are assembled for this one, including my top choice #6 Kafister. This six-year-old gelding moves outside after two races on the rail at Santa Anita this spring. He has an affinity for Del Mar and gets his man Kent Desormeaux back up for this one. I like his chances quite a bit. I will also include #3 Heir of Storm on both tickets. This gelding chased Masochistic last time out and while this is a nice group, there certainly is no runner of that caliber to pursue today. I will also include #1 Clever Royal on one ticket. He is the most likely to run on late if they go too quickly upfront.

Race 8

The finale is a state-bred MSW event for fillies and mares run at one mile and one sixteenth over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. #3 Haute Style got stopped while uncoiling a run against open company in his last. He is an interesting proposition in this one, as is #9 Southern Drawl making his second start for trainer Neil Drysdale. I will include them on both tickets as well as figure horses #2 Starlite Style and #10 Golden Light. Hopefully I will be alive into this one, as I like my chances to close things out with these four runners.

Day and Date		Ticket		Leg A		Leg B		Leg C		Leg D		Total Ticket Cost
Wednesday, August 10		A		3, 6, 7, 9		1, 4, 7, 9		3, 6		2, 3, 9, 10		$64
		B		3		1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9		1, 3, 6		2, 3, 9, 10		$36
												$100

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5

I was able to piece together Thursday’s Pick 4 forcing an “Out Cap Da Shap” carryover into a solid Friday afternoon card at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

I will build my two tickets around logical singles in the sequence and hope to catch some value in the fifth and in the eighth, which are wide-open events.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

A state-bred allowance optional claiming event at a mile over the lawn kicks off the Pick 4 sequence. #4 Tengas Ranson ran into trouble in his first start routing over the turf on Opening Day. He still finished a solid fifth from an extreme outside post. I expect further improvement and think he is worth gambling on at anything close to his 8-1-morning line price. I will use him and price play #1 Sir Cal on both tickets. Sir Cal gets Norberto Arroyo Jr. up for the first time and should sit a ground saving trip. He has his lone win and a runner-up finish over this surface and could be rolling late if they go quickly upfront. I will spread to four others on the other ticket in what is a great race for gamblers.

Race 6

The second leg of the Pick 4 is an open $10,000 claimer at seven panels over the main track. #3 Agent Di Nozzo is a deserving 5-2-morning line favorite for trainer Chris Hartman. Hartman has yet to find the winners’ circle at Del Mar and it is hard to go “all in” on a barn that is cold, but he is the one to beat in this sprint. I will single this seven-year-old gelding on one ticket and spread to #1 Lucky Views, #7 My Secret Affair and #8 Spin Forty on my other one.

Race 7

The featured Daisycutter Handicap makes up the third leg of Friday’s Pick 4. The $75,000 event is contested at five-eights of a mile over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course and is by far the best turf sprint we have seen at Del Mar this summer. A case could be made for several. I do however like the probable trip for #8 Shrinking Violet. Trainer Wesley Ward won two on Thursday’s afternoon card and looks to remain hot in this spot. I will single her on one ticket and use five runners on the one singled to the Hartman runner in Race 6.

Race 8

The finale is a rock-bottom maiden claimer at five and a half furlongs over the main track. Only a few of these have given me any reason to believe they can run, but I trust absolutely none of them. #4 Cyclone Betty is a first-time starter that is my top pick for trainer Bruce Headley. I will use him #7 Ultimate Game, #8 Patience Lady, and #10 Mom’s Forest on both tickets and use the ALL button on the other one.

Day and Date		Ticket		Leg A		Leg B		Leg C		Leg D		Total Ticket Cost
Friday, August 5		A		1, 4		1, 3, 7, 8		8		ALL		$40
		B		1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7		3		1, 3, 7, 8, 9		4, 7, 8, 10		$60
												$100

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4

I was alive to 5 of the 8 runners to close the Pick 4 yesterday, but Agapito Delgadillo sat a perfect trip at a big price and got to the wire first against a lackluster field of maidens. I will look to bounce back on Thursday in a challenging final four races to end the weekday card.

I will play two tickets today. The first will be built around #2 Signature Cat as a single in the sixth race. The second will narrow the finale down to two runners and spread a bit elsewhere.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

The fifth is a five-furlong sprint for allowance company over the Del Mar lawn. This appears to be another wide-open turf dash. I am against the 2-1-morning line favorite #2 Big Move. I do not think five-eighths of a mile is ideal, nor do I think he has the desire to win. I will use #3 Hell On Heels, #5 Longstocking and #7 Lamontagne on both tickets and include #1 Lemon de Oro and #4 Little Treasure on one.

Race 6

The second leg of the sequence is a state-bred optional claiming event at six panels over the main track. I really like the chances of #2 Signature Cat in this spot. The four-year-old gelding faced much better last time out in an open company event at Santa Anita and should sit a perfect trip back in this state-bred contest. I will single him on one ticket. I will include #1 Spirit Rules, #3 Eight Spokes and #5 Prime Issue on the other one.

Race 7

The seventh is a high-level optional claiming event at a mile and a sixteenth over the turf. I found this to be one of the more challenging races on the Thursday afternoon card. There are several ways to look in here. There appears to be plenty of pace signed on, but the rails are out at 30 feet so that should benefit front running types. I will spread on both tickets. I will use #1 Dame Street, #2 Mo Knows, #6 How Unusual, #7 That’s a Lady, and #10 Nine Point Nine due to my lack of a real strong opinion in this spot. Hopefully that covers me.

Race 8

The finale is a rock-bottom maiden claimer at five-eighths of a mile over the main track. These five-furlong events on the dirt are usually kind to frontrunners. I have seen enough of #2 Soap Box and #5 Magic Taste. They both have had plenty of chances to win a race at this level. #3 Big Champion has trained well in the morning and would not have to be much to beat this group. #4 Triple Clown has been gelded since his last start and will likely be on the front end with Martin Pedroza aboard. I will include those two on both tickets and add #6 Accordance on another.

Day and Date		Ticket		Leg A		Leg B		Leg C		Leg D		Total Ticket Cost
Thursday, August 4		A		1, 3, 4, 5, 7		2		1, 2, 6, 7, 10		3, 4, 6		$37.50
		B		3, 5, 7		1, 2, 3, 5		1, 2, 6, 7, 10		3, 4		$60
												$97.50

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3

A fresh week is upon us at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and I am back at it with the “Out Cap Da Shap” Pick 4 analysis.

The Wednesday sequence is a decent one, but there are logical runners in each race that look tough on paper. I will take my stand and “chalk it out” in the featured Graduation Stakes and hope to hit some prices around the top two betting options in that two-year-old event.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

The fifth is a five-furlong optional claimer turf sprint for three-year-olds and upward. The turf sprints at this meet have been very hard to decipher due to a plethora of troubled trips. For that reason, I will spread five deep in here with my top choice being #3 Secreto Primero. This four-year-old gelding cuts back in distance for trainer Mike Machowsky. Five-eighths of a mile may be ideal for this son of First Samurai. I will also include #2 Schillairess, #4 K Thirty Eight, #6 Souper Knight and #8 Gutsy Ruler.

Race 6

The second leg of the Wednesday Pick 4 sequence is a state-bred optional claiming event at one mile over the main track. The favorites in here #5 Matriculate and #6 Ain’t Misbehavin certainly make sense, but both have “chinks in the armor” too. For that reason I will also include #7 Plain Wrap in his first try against winners, as well as #9 Dr. Go. This son of Slew’s Tiznow gets the services of jockey Rafael Bejarano for the first time. Trainer Mike Harrington does not have great numbers at Del Mar, but he does when Bejarano rides for him.

Race 7

The third leg is the featured Graduation for two-year-old California breds at five and a half panels. I am not creative in here. I think this is a two-horse race between #3 California Diamond and #7 Green With Eddie. I prefer California Diamond, but will use both on my Wednesday ticket.

Race 8

The sequence closes with a $62,500 maiden claimer at one mile over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. My top pick in here is #6 Magik Pepper. Flavien Prat sticks around to rider for Phil D’Amato and has trained well after a debut sprinting on the main track at Santa Anita. I expect significant improvement in his second start.  I will also include #1 Silent Movies, #5 My Golden One, #7 Autumn King and #9 Saint Ignatius.

Day and Date

Ticket

Leg A

Leg B

Leg C

Leg D

Total Ticket Cost

Wednesday, Augsut 3

A

2, 3, 4, 6, 8

5, 6, 7, 9

3, 7

1, 5, 6, 7, 9

$100

FRIDAY, JULY 29

I made it to the final leg on a relatively chalky day alive to six runners, but unfortunately could never have had the winner in the finale without using ALL. I will play two tickets in on a decent Friday afternoon card in San Diego County.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved.

Race 5

The first leg of Friday’s Pick 4 sequence is an open $8,000 claiming event at a mile over the main track.  My top choice in this spot is the #2 Jonny’s Choice for the red-hot Mark Glatt barn. This seven-year-old gelding drops in class and should sit a great trip under Flavien Prat. I also will use #5 Minister Vivendi on both tickets. This Armando Lage trainee is the likeliest to come running late if the pace is too hot early. I will also include #7 Nahem, #9 Misdeed, and #10 Alltheleavesrbrown on one ticket.

Race 6

The second leg of the sequence is a MSW event for fillies and mares three-year-olds and upward going a mile and a sixteenth over the Del Mar lawn. My top choice in here is #8 Onzaway. I was impressed with this Arch filly at first asking when she came running late for trainer John Shirreffs. Then she set the pace in her second start before fading to third very late. I think the third time is the charm with Mike Smith taking riding duties over. I will single her on one ticket and then use #1 Albeit, #2 Sugary, #4 Complimentary, and #9 Kihei Sunset in addition to her on another one.

Race 7

The seventh is a state-bred MSW event for two-year-olds at five and half panels. #2 Amodei is clearly the one to beat off a strong debut and solid worktab, but I have seen this barn lose with too many short priced juvenile runners of late to be too excited by this Informed gelding. Therefore, I will spread out a bit. #5 Elwood J and #6 California Clone are the first-time starters that makes the most sense. I will include them on both tickets. I will also include #7 Informed Spirit on both tickets. He broke from the rail in debut, broke poorly and had a taxing voyage before tiring late. I expect significant improvement and may bet this one to Win if the price is right. I will include #8 Yodelers Way and #9 Maven Harry on one of the tickets.

Race 8

The Friday finale is an open $25,000 claimer over the turf. #2 With a Twist looks like the one to beat. The eight-year-old mare is 10 for 29 lifetime including a perfect 3 for 3 record at Del Mar. I will single her on one ticket and then spread extremely deep on the other ticket because if she does not win there are a plethora of other options, including some very nice value options.

Day and Date		Ticket		Leg A		Leg B		Leg C		Leg D		Total Ticket Cost
Friday, July 29		A		2, 5		8		2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9		2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12		$42
		B		2, 5, 7, 9, 10		1, 2, 4, 8, 9		2, 5, 6, 7		2		$50
												$92

THURSDAY, JULY 28

After missing the Pick 4 to start the week, I am back looking for revenge in the second card of the third racing week at Del Mar. Another challenging sequence is offered with several ways to go in each of the four races. I will single in the fifth race on the larger of my two tickets and then spread a bit in each race on a smaller backup ticket.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. Good luck to everyone getting involved!

Race 5

A $50,000 claimer for three-year-old fillies run over the lawn starts Thursday’s Pick 4 sequence. #5 Optimism and Hope drops in class and appears to be well spotted for trainer Phil D’Amato. Flavien Prat, the best turf rider on the circuit, gets his first shot aboard the Holy Roman Emperor filly. She is the one to beat. I will single her on one ticket and spread a bit on the other with a few “wild cards.” #1 Mitzi Winks, #2 My Foolish Heart, #7 Paschalista, #8 Tinderette and #10 Tequilla Mary offer solid value if they can hit the wire first.

Race 6

A $20,000 maiden claimer at six panels over the main track is the second leg of the sequence. #9 Sundar Creek is the 5-2-morning line favorite making her debut for trainer Bob Hess, Jr. Kent Desormeaux takes the mount for a barn that has a lot of success at Del Mar. However, Hess, Jr has not had as much success with three-year-olds and upward sprinting in their debut for a tag. This one can win, but I prefer #4 Royal Flush Babe for trainer Ron Ellis and #12 Stand by for News. Royal Flush Babe showed some ability before fading in the lane in her debut. The drop in class and the race experience should help her move forward. Stand by for News heads to Del Mar after three tries against MSW company at Sunland. Peter Miller takes over training duties for Kirk And Judy Robison. These connections have had a lot of success in the past and this Majesticperfection filly is dangerous off a three-month layoff. I will use #4 and #12 on both tickets and include Sundar Creek on the ticket I am singling on in Race 5.

Race 7

The third leg is an allowance optional claiming event run at a mile and three-eighths over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. I found this a difficult race to handicap given the fact that most of these runners have never attempted a distance close to this long. I will hit the ALL button on one ticket and on the other I will use my lukewarm top three choices #4 Lily Kai, #5 Holograeme and #7 Dressed to a T.

Race 8

A $50,000 state-bred maiden claimer closes the Pick 4 and a rather ordinary day at Del Mar. #6 Sir Matador is my top choice dropping from the MSW ranks at Golden Gate into this spot for trainer Jonathan Wong. Wong is hitting at 27% on the year and is dangerous with everything he sends out. The presence of Martin Pedroza suggests he will send this gelding from the gate in his second lifetime start. The other runner I will use on both tickets is #8 Malibu Dude. This gelding makes the first start of his three-year-old campaign after two decent efforts against MSW company at two. I will include #2 River Hoss, #5 Martini Up, #9 Venturi and #10 Princely Warrior on the ticket where I singled in Race 5.

Day and Date		Ticket		Leg A		Leg B		Leg C		Leg D		Total Ticket Cost
Thursday, July 28		A		6		4, 9, 12		ALL		2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10		$54
		B		1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10		4, 12		4, 5, 7		6, 8		$36
												$90

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27

I am back and ready for the start of a new racing week at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. A very solid Wednesday sequence begins in Race 5 and includes The Real Good Deal Stakes, a seven-furlong event for Cal-bred three-year-olds.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE.Good luck!

Race 5

The first leg of the Pick 4 commences with a maiden special weight event at one mile over the main track. #6 She’s a Warrior returns to face non-winners after two tries against some of the best three-year-old fillies in the country. She should find the class drop to her liking. I will single her on one ticket and use #2 Little Dume, #4 Leveler, #5 Summertimemischief, and #7 Hayley’s Comment on the other.

Race 6

A $40,000 starter allowance event over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course offers handicappers a challenging two-turn event and makes up the second leg of the Pick 4. I really like the look of #7 Watch This Cat in this spot. The Eskendereya filly makes her first start for the Richard Baltas barn and gets Rafael Bejarano up for the first time. These two connect at a strong 29%. Look for this four-year-old to be rolling late.  I will single this filly on the larger of my two tickets and then include #1 Do the Dance, #3 Arcobaleno and #4 Brookes All Mine on the other.

Race 7

The third leg is the aforementioned Real Good Deal Stakes. A very nice group of state-breds will break from the gate in this one, including Reddam Racing’s Mrazek and the popular son of Southern Image, Smokey Image. #7 Mrazek has faced some stiff competition over his career and is 3 for 3 against fellow Cal-breds, including a nice win at 7-5 on Independence Day at Santa Anita. He has a win over this track and is the one to beat despite a 0 for 2 record at seven-eights of a mile. #2 Smokey Image wins this on his best, but has been out of form ever since being soundly defeated in the San Felipe at Santa Anita. I will use the two morning line favorites, but also will include several others. #5 Tribal Fighter, #9 Tough But Nice and #10 Taman Guard will be on both of my tickets and offer me the chance of “busting out” a bit. I will include the #1 Family Code on the bigger of the two as well.

Race 8

The finale is a $20,000 maiden claimer at a mile for three-year-olds and upward. I will try to close out both tickets with four runners in this two-turn main track event. I am against #7 Alston and #8 Gavination in this spot. They both had things their way at Santa Anita a few times already in 2016 and failed to finish the deal. #4 Candy Cowboy has not been seen since October of 2014, but was gelded earlier this year and is spotted to win first off the lengthy layoff. #9 Ring Collector takes the massive drop from MSW company to rock bottom maiden claimers. He should sit a good trip under Mario Gutierrez. They are my top two choices. I will also include #12 He’s a Knockout, a Bellamy Road gelding that moves outside after two rail tries and retains Flavien Prat and #3 Money Makin Mike a colt that goes first off the claim for trainer Steve Knapp. Knapp is a ridiculous 47% off the claim this year, but those numbers are almost certain to regress the rest of 2016.

Day and Date		Ticket		Leg A		Leg B		Leg C		Leg D		Total Ticket Cost
Wednesday, July 27		A		2, 4, 5, 6, 7		7		1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10		3, 4, 9, 12		$60
		B		6		1, 3, 4, 7		2, 5, 7, 9, 10		3, 4, 9, 12		$40
												$100

SATURDAY, JULY 23

We head into Friday with a carryover after I was fortunate enough to catch the somewhat formful Pick 4 on Thursday.

This sequence has a short priced standout in Race 7, so I will build my main ticket around that likely winner. I will also play a small backup ticket with a second runner in the seventh that is the only filly that I can see beating the favorite, Enola Gray.

Good luck! For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE.

Race 5

The sequence starts with a competitive $32,000 claiming event at six furlongs over the main track.  For a sprint, the race does not appear to have that much early speed on paper. #4 Too Fast to Pass and #7 Pray Hard are the likeliest to be prominently placed, so I will include them on my main ticket as well as class dropper #2 Distinctive Pro and price play #6 Next Speaker. This six-year-old gelding has a win and a second at Del Mar, 10 career victories and should be placed in a nice tracking spot by jockey Abel Cedillo. I will only use Distinctive Pro and Too Fast to Pass on my backup ticket.

Race 6

The second leg of Friday’s Pick 4 is an optional claimer at a mile and three-eighths over the lawn. I did not have a strong opinion in this spot, so I will spread deep on my main ticket and then use my lukewarm top two choices #6 Pretentious and #7 Willing to Travel on my backup.

Race 7

The seventh is the featured $150,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for Cal-bred three-year-old fillies. The event conducted at seven furlongs is headlined by 4-5-morning line favorite #7 Enola Gray. The undefeated Phil D’Amato runner won her first start by sixteen and a quarter lengths and then stretched out to two turns in the Melair Stakes and won at 1-9. She is going to be very tough to beat. I will single her on my main ticket and then go two deep on the backup and include the second choice #6 Fantasy of Luck for trainer Bob Baffert. She has been training well and could provide a little value in the unlikely event that Enola Gray regresses off of her first two starts.

Race 8

The sequence concludes with a state-bred maiden special weight event over the lawn. #2 Lord of Chaos has shown ability over the turf and gets a huge jockey upgrade to the circuit’s best grass rider Flavien Prat. He is the one to beat. #5 Ashley’s Song is a nicely bred runner for the Peter Eurton barn. He has been gelded since his last start, adds blinkers and took significant money for his debut down the hill at Santa Anita. They will be on both of my tickets, as will #3 The Big Train for trainer Andy Mathis. I will also include first-time starter #4 Admiral’s Club, #1 Gio Mio and #6 Burnie’s On Board on my main ticket.

Day and Date		Ticket		Leg A		Leg B		Leg C		Leg D		Total Ticket Cost
Friday, July 22		A		2, 4, 6, 7		ALL		7		1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6		$84
		B		2, 4		6, 7		6, 7		2, 3, 5		$12
												$96

THURSDAY, JULY 21

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

I was able to hit a relatively chalky Sunday Pick 4 after being unsuccessful the first two days of the meet, but the good news is that today’s free money offered from Twin Spires is up to $2,000!

The Wednesday sequence does not offer full fields throughout, but does have two quality races in the fifth and seventh and a challenging conditional claimer on the lawn to close it out. I am going to try to beat Fox Hill Farms’ runner Kentuckian in the fifth since he has never run on the lawn or at a distance this short and is coming off over a year layoff. He could beat me on class, but his lack of value makes him a play against to me. I will single on one ticket in the sixth and one in the seventh and hope to be alive in the finale where I will spread out and hope for a price.

Good luck! For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE.

Race 5

The first leg of the Pick 4 is the most intriguing race of the day due to the presence of #5 Kentuckian. The son of Tiznow showed extreme talent in the first three starts of his career in 2015 for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, including a monster score in the Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera last May. Then he tried two turns in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Derby on the Fourth of July and was defeated soundly at 2-5 and has not raced since. He certainly has talent and class, but not sure why he is being brought back at five-eights on the lawn. My gut tells me this is a prep. I will take a shot against the likely heavy favorite and use #1 Pay the Fine, #2 Fueled by Bourbon and  #3 Act on both tickets and include #4 Bottle Rocket and #6 Chips All In on the bigger of the two tickets.

Race 6

The sixth is a state-bred maiden special weight event at six panels over the main track. On my first ticket, I will single #6 Chao Chom. This Tizbud filly ran huge in her debut for a barn that rarely fires first out. She has worked very well over this track since arriving and will be very tough to beat in this spot. On my other ticket, I will also include #3 Swiss Breeze at 20-1 on the morning line, #7 Christy Jackson a filly that gets a huge rider upgrade to Kent Desormeaux and #8 Princess Tiznow, a first-time starter out of the Mike Puype barn.

Race 7

The seventh is the featured $75,000 C.E.R.F at six panels. I like the looks of #6 Shh She’s Ours for trainer James Cassidy. This filly draws outside, has the speed to clear and is in great form. She will be my other single in the sequence. If she does not fire, I could see anyone else winning so I will use the ALL button on my other ticket.

Race 8

The finale is a wide-open $32,000 claiming event over the lawn for those that have not won a race in 2016. The nine-furlong event offers horseplayers several ways to go. I will use five runners on one ticket and include a sixth, #8 Sky Preacher on the cheaper of the two tickets.

Day and Date		Ticket		Leg A		Leg B		Leg C		Leg D		Total Ticket Cost
Wednesday, July 20		A		1, 2, 3, 4, 6		6		All		2, 3, 5, 6, 9		$62,50
		B		1, 2, 3		3, 6, 7, 8		6		2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9		$36.00
												$98.50

SUNDAY, JULY 17

After two failed efforts at Pick 4’s that paid rather well on the first two days of the meeting, I am back to try to salvage the first weekend. Nice sized fields in all four races and a “grab bag” non-winners of two claiming event to close makes this perhaps the most challenging sequence of the week. I will once again play two tickets that fit into my allotted budget. Good luck all!

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE.

Race 7

The Sunday Pick 4 commences with the 21^st Running of the Sandy Blue Handicap. The event for three-year-old fillies is run at a mile and an eighth over the lawn. I will single #2 Riri on the first of my two tickets. This Speightstown filly showed a lot of ability as a two-year-old and has been training well for the first start of her three-year-old campaign. She has more talent than this group and should hit the wire first if ready. On my second ticket, I will spread out and include the morning line favorite #3 Cheekaboo, a filly that just got up in the Grade 2 Honeymoon last month. I am a bit concerned though about regression off her career best effort. I will also include #4 Barleysugar, #7 Well Caught and #8 How Unusual.

Race 8

The second leg of the sequence is a five-furlong event over the dirt for two-year-old maidens.  I will use the two runners that ran best in their debut on both tickets #1 Law Abiding Citizen and #8 Chasing Aces. I would be relatively surprised if one of these does not win. On my other ticket I will also include longshot #5 Balandeen for trainer Chris Hartman and first-time starter #6 Straight Fire. The former did not run a step in his debut, but should improve immensely at a big price today. The latter is a pricey son of Dominus for trainer Keith Desormeaux. Even if he is not ready today, this colt is one to follow.

Race 9

The ninth is the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes run at a mile and an eighth over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course.  A solid group of runners is assembled for the second graded event of the meeting.  #7 Ohio is a horse that I have been following intently and am hopeful he can continue to perform well on the jump in class. I will use him on both tickets and likely bet him to Win if the price is right. I will also include #1 Ashleyluvsugar, as well as probable favorite #5 Midnight Storm on both. I will toss in long shot #8  Patentar and #2 Flamboyant on the ticket where I am singling in the opening leg.

Race 10

 

The first weekend of racing in San Diego County closes with a difficult non-winners of two lifetime race run at six and a half furlongs over the dirt. As I discussed in my “How to Bet Del Mar” piece earlier this week, these races can be some of the hardest races to predict.  I would use more if the budget allowed me to, but I narrowed it down to four runners. #3 Fans On the Run makes his second start off the claim for trainer Bill Spawr. He has been training well and drops into conditional claimers for the first time. He is a must use. I also will include #4 Kristi’s Copilot. He should be the controlling speed and draws the services of Rafael Bejarano for the first time.  #11 Que Chistoso will also be on my tickets. Bob Hess, Jr and Kent Desormeaux have a great history at Del Mar and this gelding should be rolling late. Finally, I will use #12 It’s Just Bob. This Big Drama colt drops in class for trainer Jeff Bonde and should be prominently placed from his outside post.

Day, Date, & Ticket	Leg A	Leg B	Leg C	Leg D	Cost
Sunday, July 17	2	1, 5, 6, 8	1, 2, 5, 7, 8	3, 4, 11, 12	$40
ticket 2	2, 3, 4, 7, 8	1, 8	1, 5, 7	3, 4, 11, 12	60

SATURDAY, JULY 16

The Saturday Pick 4 sequence features a pair of very competitive grass races, including the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap. It also features two wide-open maiden events. I am going to play two tickets today totaling 91 dollars. The first one I will take stands in the turf events so I can spread in the maiden races. The other one I will use a few of my top options in the grass races, but not be covered as well in the maiden events. Good luck!

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE.

Race 7

The sequence commences with a high-level optional claimer run at a mile and a sixteenth over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. #2 It’s The Ice is my top choice and will be a single on the first of my two tickets. These connections won the finale on Opening Day and could be loose on the lead under jockey Martin Garcia. The son of Sakhee’s Secret is the one to beat and singling him early will allow us to spread later on. On the second ticket, I will include #3 All the Marbles, a runner that overcame a horrific voyage on May 13^th at Santa Anita to break his maiden. The Marty Jones runner has been training extremely well and could offer some separation in the sequence. I will also include #7 Unapologetic, and Hronis Racing’s #12 Lucky Bryan. Lucky Bryan goes third off the layoff and could be rolling late, but the outside post is certainly a concern.

Race 8

The second leg offers horseplayers a solid group of two-year-old fillies with runners from some of the circuit’s best barns.  The five-furlong event includes a few runners that were purchased for significant amounts at two-year-old training sales. I am without a strong opinion in this one, but will use #1 Champagne Room, #6 Go Baby Run, and #10 La Vitesse on both tickets. I will also include #5 Morganite and #3 Noted and Quoted on one ticket. In terms of Noted and Quoted I generally prefer better works from Bob Baffert first-time starters at a short price, but can afford to use her where I am singling in Race 7.

Race 9

The ninth is the Yellow Ribbon Handicap at a mile and sixteenth over the Del Mar lawn. Really looking forward to the first graded stakes event of the meet and the first one on the turf in some time in Southern California.  The scratch of #5 Majestic Heat is disappointing, but it narrows down the runners that I consider legitimate contenders. My top choice is #7 Queen of the Sand for trainer Patrick Gallagher. This horse has had a lot of success over the Del Mar course and should offer some value off the bench. I also give a big look to morning line favorite # 2 Nancy From Nairobi for Hronis Racing and John Sadler. Veteran jockey Mike Smith takes the mount for the first time on this Sixties Icon mare.

Race 10

The finale is a rock bottom maiden-claiming event run at the tricky seven-furlong distance over the main track. This race could go a number of ways. I will use the ALL button on one ticket and hope I can be right in the first three legs. On the other ticket, I will use three runners. #7 Third Brigade drops from maiden special weight to low-level maiden claimers for trainer Mike Puype and is dangerous second off the layoff with Stewart Elliott onboard. I will also include #10 Coltonsgrace. This Thomas Bell colt should improve in his third start for a barn that is patient with their runners. Finally, #12 Alaskan Cruise gets Santiago Gonzalez up for the first time and drops down from the $40,000 level. He should be able to work out a good trip from the outside post.

Day, Date, & Ticket	Leg A	Leg B	Leg C	Leg D	Cost
Saturday, July 16	2	1, 3, 5, 6, 10	2, 7	ALL	$55
ticket 2	2, 3, 7, 12	1, 6, 10	2, 7	7, 10, 12	$36

FRIDAY, JULY 15

The first Pick 4 of the Del Mar summer meeting is no doubt a challenging one with full fields and no short priced morning line favorites in any of the four races in the sequence. I am going to take a stand and use only two horses in the featured Oceanside Stakes. I expect most horseplayers to spread in that event so I will “zig” where others “zag” and hope to beat a favorite or two along the way.

Good luck on Opening Day! For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE.

Race 7

The first leg of the Opening Day Pick 4 is the first division of $40,000 optional claimers going one mile over the main track.  #3 Forest Blue makes the third start of his four-year-old campaign and goes two sprints to a route for trainer Peter Miller. Martin Garcia gets the call so expect this son of Tale of the Cat to prominently placed. He is my top pick. I also like the chances of #4 Missing Groom at a price. He makes his second start of 2016 and has had success over the Del Mar surface. #2 Grazen Sky is the likeliest winner if the race falls apart. #7 Westfest was impressive in his first start going two turns for Bob Baffert. I do not like his price, but he should still be included in horizontals off that last effort.

Race 8

The featured $100,000 Oceanside Stakes as always is a great race. #2 Moonlight Drive was impressive in his Stateside debut in February and is the likeliest winner if he can repeat or move forward off that event. I am a bit concerned by the five-month layoff, but he has reportedly been working well. I think #7 Ebadan offers the best value option in the race and at the right price I will bet him to Win. He has been a different horse since the addition of Lasix and should get more pace to run at than in his last start where he was up closer than he probably prefers.

Race 9

The ninth is the second division of optional claimers going a mile over the dirt. I am going to spread four deep here. My top two choices are runners that should come from off the pace. #6 Pioneerof the West ran into a monster effort from a frontrunner last time out at Santa Anita. He has a win over this surface and is dangerous if the pace is contentious. #8 Souper Knight is a five-time winner facing runners that possess anywhere from 1-3 victories. He was claimed by Peter Miller and Rockingham Ranch last month and appears ready for a big effort. I will also include synthetic specialist #5 Dr. Dorr off the lengthy layoff and #7 Westbrook making his first start around two turns. Dr. Dorr will likely be overbet, but he is working very well and could be set for a big second half of 2016.

Race 10

The Opening Day card concludes with a maiden special weight event over the lawn. The mile event for three-year-olds and upward could offer separation to close the Pick 4 sequence, but I struggled to find much promise in many of the longer priced options. I will go six deep to close out my $96 play and hope to catch a price if I am fortunate enough to get to the final leg.

Day and Date	Leg A	Leg B	Leg C	Leg D	Total Ticket Cost
Friday, July 15	2, 3, 4, 7	2, 7	5, 6, 7, 8	3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11	$96

 

*Scott Shapiro handicaps the daily Pick 4 for the $25,000 Outcap da Shap Challenge. Each day of the challenge, Scott's tickets, insight, and results will appear here. For the first week, the game continues through Sunday until he loses and the winner(s) split $1,000. Starting next week, the game will run every day Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Again, TwinSpires.com will update this blog daily with Scott's actual ticket (he is limited to $100), his insight into his ticket structure, and his results. Just because Scott is limited to $100 doesn't mean you are! You can bet as little or as much as you want to try to outcap da Shap. If you hit and he doesn't, then you win or split the day's $1,000 prize! Click the link below for further details.

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE. 

For day-to-day results, CLICK HERE.