Ten-race card Saturday at Del Mar. Preview …
Race 1 – Program favorite Our Tiger’s Boy (6) is expected to scratch from this claiming sprint for 3yos; last-out maiden winner Colormemoney (4) will be tough. Strange stat for the once-productive trainer-jockey duo of Colormemoney: Bob Hess Jr. and Kent Desormeaux are 1 for 59 since September.
Race 2 – The turf rails are at 18 feet for the first time this summer; Jeweled (4) is first-time turf and worth longshot consideration at 6-1. Lori’s Attitude (2) is the only runner in this $40k claiming turf sprint with a win (November) over the course. Red Shelby (3) is the speed of the field; 5 of 14 turf sprints this summer were won by the pacesetter.
Race 3 – Favorites won the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes 13 of the past 20 years, a trend likely to continue with exciting 2yo colt Instagrand (1) making his second start as the odds-on favorite.
Race 5 – Favorites have won only 8 for 45 turf routes this summer. The 18 percent rate compares to 41 percent winning favorites all other races. Perhaps top choice Siberian Iris (6) is no great bargain at 5-2, although she is the one to beat in this N1X turf route.
Race 6 – Two valuable workout reports in Southern California are the Daily Racing Form Del Mar Clocker Report by Toby Turrell, and National Turf by Andy Harrington. Both state John Shirreffs-trained first-time starter Claudelle (1) has above-average ability. Both also give positive comments to first-timer The Aurelia Factor (2), trained by Bob Baffert.
Race 7 – Kodiak West (1), the favorite in a turf route, should win this N1X turf mile for 3yo fillies if she reproduces her European form. A recent arrival from France, she is nominated to the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks next weekend. N1X should be within reach.
Race 10 – Handsome John (6) ran well last out at this Cal-bred maiden-50 level, but second preference Hey Sal (10) is worth a gamble. His debut was better than looked, he worked well since, adds blinkers and should improve with a race under his belt. Hey Sal is listed at 8-1.
First post Saturday, 2 p.m.