Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Monday 7/27/20
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 10 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).
Gallovie and Zest, Race 2
FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 10/1
Race 2 is a 1-mile Allowance race for fillies and mares and two runners are placed for a $40K Optional Claiming tag.
Daily Horse Picks (DHP) likes Gallovie (7/2) on top followed by Muchly (4/1) and Quick (5/2). All three were bred in Great Britain, and Gallovie makes her 2020 debut with three strong morning work tabs at Del Mar this month. She rates top speed by DHP and raced here last summer, posting her best ever speed figure (102) when just missing from the front end and finishing second at this same distance. A solid shot in here with EPO trainer Richard Baltas racing the preferred distance on the turf and turning to super talented rider Juan Hernandez, who is getting more mounts and is a buzz jockey more recently.
Gypsy Spirit (3/1) is another UK runner and the top pick of numberFire followed by Muchly and Gallovie. Gypsy Spirit finished 4th in a recent graded stakes race but just missed from off the pace when finishing 2nd in May at this distance in Santa Anita, posting a 101 speed figure. Leading rider Flavien Prat jumps on.
Quick has had troubled trips in three straight races this year at Santa Anita but hit the board in each race. Muchly has Drayden Van Dyke scheduled to ride, but he took a bad spill turning for home in Sunday’s feature race. Check his status. Muchly finished 3rd a neck behind Quick on May 15.
Zest (10/1) is an overlay, as she broke her Maiden in May. She has tactical speed, and her closing quarter time last out is the fastest recent final quarter in the field.
Rio Ocho, Race 4
FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1
Race 4 is a Maiden Special Weight with 11 runners going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. The morning linemaker is not fooled by the 5th place finish of Rio Ocho (3/1) in his U.S. debut in May. Much trouble with the trip but finished willingly and galloped out well ahead of others past the wire.
Comradery (4/1) is Irish bred like the top choice and is the top pick of numberFire. He makes his U.S. debut and is working well off a long layoff.
Cosmo (8/1) was a non-winner in five starts with a best 101 speed figure when runner-up in March going longer. Trainer Neil Drysdale tried him in a graded stakes race earlier this month, and he finished a distant 3rd behind Kentucky Derby hopeful Uncle Chuck.
Kylemore and Erotic, Race 6
FanDuel Racing Odds: 15/1 and 15/1
Race 6 is a Claiming ($22,500) race that drew 11 runners going 1-mile on the turf. Some longshots in here are worth attention as overlays, including Kylemore (15/1) on the rail. He was a winner at this level in March when posting a career-best 108 speed figure. Tactical speed and able to cash in with a ground saving trip.
Erotic (15/1) was claimed for $25K by trainer Puype in March and missed the money in his next start. He’s hit triple-digit speed figures in the past including at Del Mar. Potential for a sneaky surprise.
Hootie (7/2) is 0-for-6 on the Del Mar turf and has the meet's second leading jockey Rispoli riding. His three wins were against restricted company, and he now has to prove himself in open claiming ranks.
French Getaway (3/1) breaks from the far outside and won for a bigger tag from off the pace in February. He’s missed the money in two subsequent races but posted a 106 speed figure in a graded stakes and has hit triple-digit ESF in nine lifetime starts.
Ocean Fury (4/1) is the top pick of numberFire and drops way down in class for trainer Doug O’Neill. He makes his first start since being gelded and returns to racing off a 3 ½ month layoff but has not come close to hitting the board in five straight starts. Class and four previous triple-digit speed figures suggest a better result if he’s fit and ready.
Worthy Turk (6/1) drops in class for EPO trainer Peter Miller and reunites with leading rider Flavien Prat. He won at this level two races back as a heavy favorite with a strong final quarter. He now faces a much tougher group but still likely takes some money.
