Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Monday 8/31/20
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 nine 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.)
Arickaree, Race 1
FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1
A special Monday edition of racing “Where the Turf Meets the Surf” at Del Mar and Race 1 is a Maiden Special Weight for seven state-bred runners sprinting 6 furlongs.
The top pick, according to numberFire’s data, is the favorite Lil Richards Bello (1/1), followed by Zero Down (6/1). Leading jockey Umberto Rispoli rides the favorite, and interesting notes from Top Race Reports shows Rispoli has won 39 races, but only 2-of-39 coming as a closer (6 lengths or more at ½ mile pole). Rispoli has won 21 of his 39 races in turf routes. Today he sprints on dirt with Lil Richards Bello 0-for-2 but is working well since finishing fifth in early July.
Zero Down has raced seven times without a win for trainer Doug O’Neill. But he’s hit the board three times, including with his best speed figure (88) in his only race at Del Mar in November. We liked Secret Club (8/1), but he’s a late scratch, and we’ll turn to Arickaree (4/1), who makes his debut for EPO trainer Richard Baltas. His work tab is super, and Del Mar’s other top rider with 39 wins, Flavien Prat, takes the mount.
Dorita’s Lemon, Race 7
FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2
Race 7 drew eight fillies and mares sprinting 5 ½ furlongs. The top pick, according to both numberFire and Daily Horse Picks data, is Wishful (3/1). Wishful has failed to win in her last nine starts over 16 months but has finished in the money five times, including against better runners last month at Del Mar. Daily Horse Picks race projections gives her the class edge and best pace-projector fit with a jockey change to Flavien Prat being a positive addition. Include in Exacta and Trifecta wagering.
Dorita’s Lemon (5/2) breaks from the rail also with a jockey change to Juan Hernandez. She’s won 2-of-5 starts but is super strong in this spot, running back three weeks after finishing third at short odds with a poor ride. Dorita’s Lemon strided out well in that race according to Top Race Reports (TRR), and she’ll run up closer to the front and have a good finish this time.
Bronn and Mecklenburg, Race 8
FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/1 and 6/1
Race 8 is a solid group of 10 runners in an Allowance race for three-year-olds running 1 1/16 miles on the Turf. Recall the jockey comments on Umberto Rispoli from Race 1 of this writeup, and Rispoli rides the favorite Scarto (3/1), who is the top pick of numberFire.
Daily Horse Picks also projects Scarto to win with Ajourneytofreedom (8/1) to hit the board and finish in-the-money.
We’ll take the value on Bronn (8/1) and Mecklenburg (6/1), who is ridden by top rider Flavien Prat. Top Race Reports notes Bronn fits well class-wise for trainer Bob Baffert. He’s not raced in two months since making his 2020 debut, but appears well-meant, having passed on other races in the meet. Solid young jockey Drayden Van Dyke rides. Bronn will be the front-running speed, and he raced at Del Mar twice last summer, including as a favorite.
Irish-bred Mecklenburg made his U.S. debut here three weeks ago at shorter odds, breaking slow and finishing fifth. He’s ready to fire and run better with a pair of morning works in place since showing good health for trainer Mike Puype.
