Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Saturday 11/21/20
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 nine 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.)
Midcourt, Race 2
FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/5
Race 2 is the $100K Grade III Native Dancer Stakes at 1 1/8 miles. Just five runners are entered, but that could change up to post. Midcourt (4/5) is the favorite and top pick of numberFire. He won this race in 2019 and has been racing against Grade I level horses since, finishing behind Breeders’ Cup Classic runners Improbable and Maximum Security in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes .
Royal Ship (4/1) and Extra Hope (3/1) will run for trainer Richard Mandella, who has won 6-of-12 starts at the meet and finished in the money 11 times. Extra Hope finished second to Midcourt in the 2019 edition of this race. Royal Ship raced on turf in Brazil but has been training very well on dirt and has top class.
Stellar Sound (6/1) is a filly who is also questionable to run in the race.
Kershaw, Race 4
FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5
Race 4 is a Claiming race at 1 mile. Favorite Kershaw (9/5) will be tough here as the projected winner for all of numberFire, Guaranteed Tip Sheet and Daily Horse Picks. Kershaw's speed figures are higher than those of his rivals in this race. That includes a 108 speed figure last race when finishing third. At a flat mile, Kershaw will be tough to beat for EPO trainer Phil D’Amato with leading rider Umberto Rispoli in the irons.
Popular Kid (5/2) is the main challenger for EPO trainer Peter Miller and top jockey Flavien Prat. Popular Kid was claimed last race, and he’s won three times at Del Mar.
Exotic West, Race 6
FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5
Race 6 is a Maiden Special Weight for two-year-old fillies, and it's scheduled for 6 1/2 furlongs. Bob Baffert-trained Exotic West (9/5) is the favorite and has the meet's top jockey, Abel Cedillo, riding. Cedillo is the best gate rider, and Exotic West showed speed from the gate in her most recent workout. Baffert’s record with juvenile fillies making their debut is three wins, four seconds and two thirds.
Peach Tree Road (7/2), going for trainer Richard Mandella, flashed brief speed in her debut three months ago and has been training sharper for her return. Leia Marie (4/1) returns to dirt after trying the turf three weeks ago.
