Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Friday 11/13/20
It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 3:30 p.m. EST, we have 9 races at Del Mar. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.
As always, check the program for scratches and changes, and check the weather and track conditions.
(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.)
Lakerball and Lucky Peridot, Race 5
FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1 and 5/1
Race 5 is a Claiming race for fillies and mares, and it's going one mile. Daily Horse Picks' top pick is Seaside Dancer (5/1) with top jockey Flavien Prat riding for EPO top trainer Peter Miller. She is winless in nine starts this year, and Miller’s other runner, stablemate Lucky Peridot (5/1), has the meet’s leading jockey Abel Cedillo in the irons. Lucky Peridot drops down looking to break through for the first time in eight starts this year but finished runner up here in August with a 97 speed figure.
The top pick of numberFire is Sugary (7/2) followed by Lakerball (4/1). Sugary has been off two months but will win if she runs her best. She finished fifth last race here as the favorite at this level. This group of runners is not as strong. Lakerball has top class and has faced better runners in graded stakes. The four-year-old has not won since 2018 but has the speed to break the losing drought.
Cali Caliente and Murad Khan, Race 7
FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1 and 7/2
Race 7 is an Allowance race at 1 1/16 miles on the Turf. The top pick according to numberFire’s algorithm is Cleopatra’s Strike (6/1) followed by Gray Magician (6/1), who is seeking a restart to his career on turf with leading jockey Flavien Prat riding for EPO trainer Peter Miller. However, rapidly improving Cali Caliente (3/1) moves up in class from a dominating turf mile race in which he ran the second fastest time of the Santa Anita fall meet. He showed plenty of speed and stamina, posting a 111 speed figure last race, and is 2-for-2 at Del Mar.
Cleopatra’s Strike is trained by EPO trainer Phil D’Amato, and he also has Salvator Mundi (5/1) running with top turf rider Umberto Rispoli. Salvator Mundi raced against graded stakes runners and a longer distance and now cuts back in distance and class with a better chance to hit the board. Murad Khan (7/2) is a hard-knocking seven-year-old who finished in the money in both summer races at Del Mar and hit a 113 speed figure.
I’m the Boss of Me, Race 8
FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1
Race 8 is a Maiden Claiming race for two-year-old fillies sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs. Projections from numberFire suggest Pirates Cross (8/1) to win if he draws in from the also eligible list. Tequila Diva (8/1) is also projected to hit the board, per numberFire, while favorites I’m the Boss of Me (3/1) and As Required (5/2) take the money. Those two are projected to finish in the money as top two finishers for Guaranteed Tip Sheet. As Required finished a decent third in her debut and is now racing for trainer John Sadler, who claimed her last race.
I’m the Boss of Me is a front runner and she drops in class for EPO trainer Peter Miller, who also trains Ruthies Racer (6/1), with top jockey Flavien Prat taking the mount.
These baby two-year-olds can be difficult to project as they learn their way. But patterns beyond just the work tab times are something to consider more closely as you watch the races and handicap the ponies.
