HORSE RACING

Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Friday 7/23/21

Starting at 7:00 p.m. EST, 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.)

Bold Endeavor and Order and Law, Race 4

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/5 and 4/1

Race 4 is an Allowance Optional Claiming race at 1 mile. Guaranteed Tip Sheet and numberFire's data says favorite Bold Endeavor (8/5) will break through off four straight runner-up finishes since March. Horse Racing Radar notes he’s finished first or second in six of his last seven starts, and he has a pair of wins over the Del Mar dirt with tactical speed to win up front or from off the pace.

Leading jockey Flavien Prat rides Azul Coast (6/1) for trainer Bob Baffert. Family Biz (7/2) makes his California debut for EPO trainer Peter Miller and is the projected runner-up, according to numberFire’s data. His speed figures are fast enough for this level, but he prefers one-turn races and this is two turns. Order and Law (4/1) is also projected to hit the board. He’s won 3-of-4 at this level on turf and dirt and should set the pace with a good break from the rail.

Closing Remarks and Eddie’s New Dream, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1 and 5/1

Race 7 is the 175K Fleet Treat Stakes for state bred three-year-old fillies going 7 furlongs. The key entrants and favorites drew poorly on the inside with Fi Fi Pharoah (5/2) on the rail next to Closing Remarks (3/1).

numberFire's algorithm projects Closing Remarks to win and Fi Fi Pharoah to hit the board after a pair of recent wins, including a route stakes last month. Horse Racing Radar notes that Closing Remarks is the most accomplished filly in the field. She finished runner-up in both her recent stakes races on the turf and now tries dirt for the first time in eight starts. FanDuel Racing odds suggest a 28% win probability for Closing Remarks.

Eddie's New Dream (5/1) is a contender and preferred pick of Guaranteed Tip Sheet. numberFire projects a runner-up finish. She has five quality starts in five races and has hit the board in all five starts with one win and three runner-up finishes. Her last start was a pace-pressing second behind Fi Fi Pharoah. She strings three races together and has a bullet work recently.

I’m So Anna (6/1) breaks from the outside No. 9 post while Respectively (5/1) is quick and will likely break to the lead looking to hold off the challengers.

Eagle in the Sky and Wilder Than Most, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1 and 8/1

Race 8 concludes the day at beautiful Del Mar “Where the Turf Meets the Surf.” This is a Maiden Special Weight for state-breds going 1 mile on the turf. numberFire projects longshot Just About Enough (12/1) to pull the upset over Eagle in the Sky (3/1). Just About Enough makes just his second start, and he failed to fire in his debut last month.

Eagle in the Sky finished fourth in his recent turf start off a long layoff. He’s had a solid work tab since that race and should fire for the McCarthy jockey/trainer team.

Really Big News (5/2) finished second in two turf sprints and is bred for two turns. Top turf rider Umberto Rispoli is aboard from the No. 12 post. Wilder than Most (8/1) makes just his third start at age four, and he can hit the board and make a late run, per Guaranteed Tip Sheet. Flavien Prat takes the reins for the first time with a pair of strong morning works recently.