​Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Saturday 7/25/20

With most of the sports world on pause, it's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.

Starting at 5:00 p.m. EST, we have 11 races at Del Mar Racetrack. Using our numberFire projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.

As always, check the program for scratches and changes.

(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions.)

Caisson, Race 1

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2

A beautiful at Del Mar begins “Where the Turf Meets the Surf” for this one-mile race on the grass. It's a Maiden Special Weight for two-year-olds learning their way.

Favorite Dyn O Mite (3/1) breaks from the outside No. 8 post. He has a pair of runner-up finishes in two dirt starts and stumbled badly last race. He now tries the turf.

Caisson (7/2) is the top pick of numberFire, and leading rider Flavien Prat is tied for the meet lead with a 31% win rate. Sired by War Front, this juvenile debuts for trainer Richard Mandella with a consistent work pattern in place and success with debut turf runners.

Big Talker (4/1) is also a first-time starter with potential, and breeding points to some success with Mike Smith on board.

Ingest (5/1) is a Cal-bred stretching out and facing open company having races just two weeks ago and missing the money.

Itsthattime and Zimba Warrior, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/1 and 6/1

Race 8 is a Claiming ($45K) race for three-year-olds, and it is going seven furlongs. It's the start of the Late Pick 4, leading into the two major stakes races.

There's payoff potential, and we'll try both Itsthattime (5/1) with Mike Smith riding and Zimba Warrior (6/1), a closer with just one win but a consistent board hitter in 7-of-10 starts. That includes in the Sham (G3) in January, when he posted a 98 speed figure. He's facing easier and dropping down in class. He's got a strong pace, and he’ll be a factor according to numberFire, who picks Zimba Warrior on top.

Itsthattime is third off a layoff and won two months ago with a 102 speed figure. Another front-running win would be no surprise to Guaranteed Tip Sheet, who rates Itsthattime a best bet.

Applecross and Croughavouke, Race 9

FanDuel Racing Odds: 15/1 and 6/1

Race 9 is the $150K San Clemente (G2) for three-year-old fillies racing one mile on the turf. A field of 10 is in here, and it's tough to separate Laura’s Light (3/1) and Warren’s Showtime (7/2), but there's no less than five solid contenders in this Grade 2 race. Implied odds at FanDuel Racing suggest a 25% and 22% chance to win for the two favorites.

Pace projects to be quite fast according to Horse Racing Nation’s Super Screener. That sets up the race for a closer, and a longshot like Applecross (15/1) can outrun her odds and take advantage in her 2020 debut. The Irish-bred raced at Del Mar twice last year and finished fifth in a graded stakes race in which Laura’s Light was runner-up, three lengths better. Applecross and is working well for EPO trainer Richard Baltas. A jockey switch to Drayden Van Dyke should be a positive.

Croughavouke (6/1) is another closer to include off her best race two months ago, when she finished a close third behind winner Laura’s Light with a 104 speed figure in the Honeymoon (G3) at Santa Anita. Del Mar’s leading rider this meet, Umberto Rispoli, rides the top pick at numberFire..

Warren’s Showtime can close into the speed, as well, and she’s won three stakes races this year. Her recent win was on the dirt last month, but she won two other stakes on the turf, though she has yet to hit triple-digit speed figures.

Laura’s Light will likely be part of the pressured pace up front for EPO trainer Peter Miller. She’s So Special (5/1) is the other filly running for Miller, and she’s off a pair of wins, including a stakes-winning ride by Flavien Prat when she the boys at 5 1/2 furlongs while producing a 106 speed figure. She's stretching out with EPO in place and can surprise at a price with Exacta and Trifecta additions in place.

Higher Power, Race 10

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2

Race 10 is the $150K San Diego Handicap (G2) at 1 1/16 miles with heavy favorite Maximum Security (1/1) racing this year for new trainer Bob Baffert. Maximum Security makes his California debut off a five-month layoff and a Saudi Cup win. He’s crossed the finish line first in 9-of-10 starts but was disqualified in the controversial 2019 Kentucky Derby.

How much was drug medication and performance enhancing drugs a factor in this top colt's previous success? Abel Cedillo rides for coronavirus casualty Luis Saez with a front-running trip. Guaranteed Tip Sheet rates Maximum Security the best racehorse on the planet right now.

Higher Power (7/2) returned to form with a runner-up finish last out, posting the top last-race speed figure (111) of this field in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) in early June. He won the Pacific Classic (G1) here last year and will defend next month against Maximum Security again.

There will be blinkers back on Midcourt (4/1), who was not himself in the Hollywood Gold Cup at a shorter price but will be pressing Maximum Security in this bounce-back race. He won the Native Diver (G3) with ease up front late last year at Del Mar.