HORSE RACING

​Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Friday 8/20/21

There are eight races at Del Mar on Friday, including a Grade 3 stakes for fillies and mares. Which horses are you betting on at FanDuel Racing?

Starting at 7:00 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.)

Zero Tolerance, Race 2

FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/5

Race 2 is a Maiden Special Weight for fillies and mares sprinting 6 furlongs. The favorite on the rail will take more money with leading jockey Flavien Prat riding Zero Tolerance (6/5) to the winners circle. The numberFire model projects him on top of M If For Magic (4/1) and Katerini (3/1).

Zero Tolerance made her debut three weeks ago and lost by a nose after breaking awkwardly and suffering a bad trip. She rallied gamely on the turf and posted a 93 speed figure. Now switching to dirt, she's the best horse again and a potential standout.

Mucho Del Oro and Man Friday, Race 5

FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/1 and 3/1

Race 5 is a Claiming race for 3-year-olds at a flat mile. The numberFire data picks Rookie Year (4/1) and Man Friday (3/1) to decide the race. Top turf jockey Umberto Rispoli rides Man Friday, who was claimed last month following a runner-up finish by EPO trainer Mike Maker, and he has more speed than shown.

Rookie Year is a 3-year-old son of Tapit, and he’s in peak form having won a race here a month ago at this distance by 9 lengths. Top jockey Flavien Prat rides again with shorter odds expected at FanDuel Racing.

Mucho Del Oro (6/1) has a tougher break from the outside 11 post. He won wire-to-wire at this distance in June. He wasn't a factor last month in his Del Mar debut against a stronger group but still posted his best speed figure (93). Include underneath in exacta and trifecta wagering.

Scottish Star, Race 6

FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5

Race 6 is the $100K Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs. The numberFire model projects an upset with Proud Emma (8/1) over Edgeway (8/5), who is a main contender having finished runner-up in a graded stakes, and she’s 2-for-3 this year with a pair of strong works over the track in prep for her Del Mar debut.

Proud Emma is 2-for-3 over the Del Mar course but probably prefers more distance.

Scotish Star (9/5) can turn the tables on Stellar Sound (2/1). Scotish Star just missed in her U.S. Debut three weeks ago as the favorite at Del Mar and hit a speed figure of 103. Stellar Sound was the winner, but Scottish Star has since posted a blistering bullet-best workout, and when trainer Richard Mandella has his horses working fast, his runners respond. Top jockey Flavien Prat assures she goes off as favorite closer to even money.