Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Sunday 8/23/20
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 numberFire’s 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.)
Vander Kelen, Race 6
FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2
Race 6 is a Claiming race with 9 runners sprinting 6 furlongs. The colt on the far outside is Vander Kelen (7/2), a 5-year-old racing for the tenth time and coming off his career-worst race. However, that was against a better field and class, and he’s healthy, stringing races together and beat better claimers at Del Mar last summer with a 98 speed figure. Vander Kelen is placed well here by trainer Mark Glatt and has the fastest speed figures in the race.
Race favorite Mayan Warrior (3/1) finished third at long odds ahead of Vander Kelen last race. He’s the top pick of Guaranteed Tip Sheet with Outlaw (8/1) a potential in-the-money finisher running on the lead with leading jockey Flavien Prat riding. Outlaw had an exceptional morning bullet workout a week ago.
I Belong to Becky (5/1) is the top pick of numberFire and will also be running along the lead but must return to past form in winning here last summer.
Swamp Souffle, Race 7
FanDuel Racing Odds: 12/1
Race 7 is a stronger Claiming race that drew 10 runners going 1 1/16 miles on the Turf. The top pick of numberFire is longshot Swamp Souffle (12/1), who breaks from the far outside. He’s a 4-year-old with 21 races and including seven this year with strong speed figures including 106 in graded stakes company.
Southern King (3/1) is the slight favorite for EPO trainer Peter Miller. He missed last race going longer in his first try on the Del Mar turf, but won going 1-mile in June at Santa Anita at double-digit odds with a 105 speed figure when finishing fourth at a much longer distance in March.
Worthy Turk (4/1) was a beaten favorite with a troubled trip last race to winner Hootie (7/2). Worthy Turk has posted consistent 90’s speed figures and has top jockey Flavian Prat riding while leading jockey Umberto Rispoli is back on Hootie after trainer Doug O’Neill claimed him last race.
Galilean and Bob and Jackie, Race 9
FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/2 and 12/1
Race 9 is the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on the Turf. Ten runners challenge in this 1-mile race and the top pick at numberFire is Mo Forza (7/2) followed by Royal Ship (5/1).
Daily Horse Picks also chooses Mo Forza on top, and he races for the first time since missing the board badly in January. However, late last year the 4-year-old won four straight starts with three graded stakes wins and speed figures above 111. That included the Hollywood Derby at Del Mar. Top jockey Flavien Prat leaves Galilean to ride Mo Forza for leading trainer Peter Miller. Mo Forza is the fastest horse with pedigree against a relatively weak group but is still a bit vulnerable off the layoff and will get bet down further.
Galilean (9/2) is in top form off back-to-back wins against state-breds this summer with triple-digit speed figures. He returns to Graded Stakes company and has won 5-of-10 races. This son of Uncle Mo is ridden by exceptional turf rider Umberto Rispoli, who leads the Del Mar meet with 35 wins and a 27% win rate.
Royal Ship (5/1) is a Group 1 winner making his U.S. debut with Mike Smith riding for trainer Richard Mandella. Bob and Jackie (12/1) on the far outside post won a minor stakes here in July off a long layoff and posted a 110 speed figure. He’s three-for-three at Del Mar for EPO trainer Richard Baltas and has a strong work tab in place leading into this race.
