Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Thursday 8/5/21
Starting at 5:00 p.m. EST, we have 10 races at Del Mar. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing.
As always, check for scratches and changes and monitor 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.)
Flipping Fast and Park Avenue, Race 3
FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 5/2
Race 3 is a Maiden Special Weight for fillies and mares at 1 mile. numberFire's algorithm projects favorite Angel of Freedom (2/1) to reach the winner's circle with Victor Espinoza riding for respected trainer John Shirreffs. She's a vulnerable favorite off a nearly three-month layoff and is stretching out from a sprint.
Flipping Fast (5/2) has a pair of third-place finishes, and the late-blooming three-year-old stretches out to a preferred distance of EPO trainer Phil D’Amato with some recent sharp 5-furlong sessions on her work tab.
Park Avenue (5/2) makes her sophomore debut and first start since last September. Her pedigree says she’ll move forward with leading jockey Flavien Prat riding for trainer Jon Sadler. That jockey/trainer combo is 8-for-16 the past six months, according to Horse Racing Radar. Lisette (6/1) should improve in her second start off a layoff after racing wide and finishing fourth in June. Umberto Rispoli stays on to ride again.
Carmen Miranda and Ko Olina, Race 7
FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 5/1
Race 7 is the $100K California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Stakes for state bred two-year-old fillies sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs. numberFire projects favorite At the Spa (5/2) to sprint home ahead of Ko Olina (5/1). At the Spa is 2-for-2, and Guaranteed Tip Sheet notes she’s tied with Ko Olina for the highest speed figure in the race.
Don’t discount Carman Miranda (7/2) for EPO trainer Phil D’Amato. She’s working sharply since her debut win July 2, when she beat the favorite At the Spa -- who came back to win her next start easily.
Algeria, Race 8
FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5
Race 8 concludes the day “Where the Turf meets the Surf.” There are 11 runner in this Maiden Claimer at 1 mile on the turf. Favorite Algeria (9/5) is the top pick, according to numberFire’s data and is a best bet of Guaranteed Tip Sheet.
Algeria finished a close second last race and came home in a solid 24 seconds. His closing style matches the course profile, and the gelding can improve on his fastest speed figure (87) in his seventh start. Flavien Prat rides and should get Algeria home ahead of My Indy (5/1), who can rally late on his preferred turf surface but is still trying to get a first win in his 13th start.
