It’s been no secret Southern California tracks have struggled to fill fields at times this year, but that is not the case this holiday weekend, as trainers are filling the entry box to get their last licks in at Del Mar. Saturday’s and Sunday’s programs are averaging 10 horses per start, and the Early Pick 5 with a low 14% takeout looks very appealing both days, just on paper.
On Saturday’s card, the Early Pick 5 has fields of 6, 11, 13, 8 and 11 with only one maiden race in the sequence. The same is in effect on Sunday, albeit with two maiden races in the Early Pick 5. The field sizes before scratches are 7, 11, 7, 11 and 13.
Last Saturday and Sunday, the Players’ Pick 5 paid $4,592 and $1,198, respectively. If you can find a way to hit that Pick 5, you’re probably going to have a very good day.
The end of summer marks the beginning of the two-year-old stakes season, and Saturday’s running of the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante (G1) showcases the best juvenile fillies from the Southern California barns of Bob Baffert (Bast, 7/2 and Stellar Sound, 6/1), John Sadler (Inspiressa, 5/2), Doug O’Neill (Comical, 12/1 and Lazy Daisy, 20/1), Brian Koriner (Pure Xena, 6/1) and Peter Miller (Leucothea, 3/1). The latter two broke their maidens by a collective 25 lengths, and it will be interesting to see if they can duplicate their efforts against their peers in Grade I company.
The Debutante is carded as the 9th of 10 races and goes to post at 6:14pm. Del Mar gets undeway at 2pm this Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Friday’s action gets started at 4pm.
It’s also worth mentioning Del Mar’s Jackpot Pick 6 pool will be forced out on closing day this coming Monday, and it’s current total stands at $195,359 heading into Friday’s program. The $300,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1) for the West Coast’s top two-year-olds is the feature on the closing day card.
In case you were wondering, it’s sponsored by Runhappy.
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