Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Friday 11/20/20
It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 3:30 p.m. EST, we have eight races at Del Mar. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.
As always, check the program for scratches and changes, and check 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.)
Tropical Terror and Clayton Delaney, Race 6
FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1 and 12/1
Race 6 is an Allowance Race for state-bred horses going 1 mile on the turf. The top pick according to numberFire’s data is Fly to Mars (7/2) with leading jockey Flavien Prat riding for leading (EPO) trainer Peter Miller. Fly to Mars -- along with favorite Rustic Canyon (5/2) -- is entered for the optional $20,000 claiming price.
Rustic Canyon won this state-bred condition race last time out at Santa Anita and has won 4-of-17 turf starts. Fly to Mars was out of action and not racing for two years due to injury. He returned to the track in August and is 0-for-3 but did post a 102 speed figure and can push the pace.
Tropical Terror (4/1) is the top pick of Top Race Reports. He won last time out, going longer with his best speed figure (92), and he now faces a marginal bunch after finishing second six times. Clayton Delaney (12/1) is the longshot to include in Exacta and Trifecta wagers. He has improved his speed figures and has some solid works recently. The meet's top jockey, Abel Cedillo, should have him running well late for EPO trainer Phil D’Amato.
Chevelita, Race 7
FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1
Race 7 is a Maiden Claiming race for 2-year-old fillies, and it's sprinting 6 furlongs. Purda Vita (4/1) has been scratched, so favorite Chevelita (3/1) -- working for Prat and Miller -- will likely draw the most wagering action. Chevelita stumbled out of the gate in her debut last month and should run better against this subpar group of juveniles.
Brilliant Cut (7/2) has missed the money in all three of her starts with the last two on turf against better runners. Jockey Umberto Rispoli keeps the mount.
Gabby Hayes and Bukayo, Race 8
FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1 and 6/1
Race 8 concludes the day at the beautiful seaside track with a short 5-furlong sprint on the turf for 2-year-old Maidens. Four horses are scratched, including one of the favorites, My Man Bags (5/2). The favorite is Theluteismine (2/1), another horse from the top jockey/trainer combo of Prat and Miller. He finished fifth going 1 mile in his September debut and cuts back to a sprint here.
Let’s take a shot with two debut runners noted by Top Race Reports, Gabby Hayes (4/1) and Bukayo (6/1). Cedillo rides Gabby Hayes, who showed an improved and sharp workout in his final tuneup 10 days ago. Bukayo is the projected winner, per numberFire, for trainer Carla Gaines.
Crossword (4/1) misfired badly in his debut at 2/1 odds last month, and Cedillo jumps off him to ride Gabby Hayes.
