Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Thursday 8/12/21
Starting at 5:00 p.m. Eastern, we have eight 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.)
Grit and Curiosity, Race 2
FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5
Race 2 is a Claiming race at 5 furlongs on the turf. Grit and Curiosity (9/2) is the favorite on the outside and the top choice of numberFire and Guaranteed Tip Sheet. Del Mar's top jockey, Flavien Prat, rides for leading EPO trainer Peter Miller, and that combo has won at a 27% clip over the last five years, according to Horse Racing Radar. Grit and Curiosity drops into a claiming race for his first start since March. Last year, he placed in a stakes race and posted three triple-digit speed figures.
Ian Glass (5/2) is a six-time winner who has won his last two with triple-digit speed figures and appears best of the rest.
Rain Diva and Shylock Eddie, Race 6
FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1 and 7/2
Race 6 is an Allowance race for state-bred fillies and mares sprinting 5 furlongs on the turf. numberFire's model projects the Rain Diva (3/1) to go to the front and show her pure speed to the finish and winner’s circle. Guaranteed Tip Sheet agrees, although her turf form is uncertain.
If Rain Diva falters, Shylock Eddie (7/2) will be one making up ground in the stretch. Her runner-up finish in May had leading turf rider Umberto Rispoli in the saddle, and he returns to ride again. Acai (5/1) will be pressing the pace and she ran well over this turf course last fall.
Hockey Dad and Numero Dix, Race 8
FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 3/1
Race 8 concludes the day “Where the Turf meets the Surf.” The 1-mile Allowance race on the turf is for three-year-olds, and numberFire projects Crew Dragon (5/2) and Hockey Dad (7/2) to decide the race. They break from the inside posts along with Numero Dix (3/1) in the three-hole with Flavien Prat riding.
Crew Dragon and Hockey Dad could have started in Sunday’s Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap, but their trainers spot them here with this race designed as a prep for the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on September 4. There are at least four European horses and added runners on the also-eligible list.
Trainer Jon Sadler has a pair of runners with Crew Dragon and top turf rider Umberto Rispoli, along with lightly-raced and well-bred Numero Dix (3/1) getting first time Lasix in his U.S. debut.
Hockey Dad is three-for-six but winless in six stakes starts this year. His last race a month ago was his fastest with a 100 speed figure, and he had the lead into the stretch before coming up less than a length short in fourth place.
