Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Saturday 7/31/21
Starting at 5:00 p.m. EST, we have 11 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.)
Lava Lane and Ensleys Dream, Race 7
FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 6/1
Race 7 is an Allowance race for state-bred fillies and mares. It's scheduled for 5 furlongs on the turf. We have a solid field of at least 10 runners, and numberFire's algorithm likes Smiling Annie (8/1), Capital Heat (4/1) and Lava Lane (7/2), with top turf jockey Umberto Rispoli riding Lava Lane for EPO trainer Phil D’Amato. Leading jockey Flavien Prat rides the morning line favorite, Alice Marble (5/2), for D’Amato, and she’s been crushing it on the dirt but is also bred for turf.
Ensleys Dream (6/1) is overlooked but capable and held well through fast fractions to win with her best speed figure two months ago. She's freshened and cutting back in distance.
Ocean Atlantique and Media Blitz,Race 9
FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/1 and 15/1
Race 9 is a high-quality Optional Claimer at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. numberFire projects Get Her Number (8/1) and Ocean Atlantique (6/1) to emerge at the finish.
Ocean Atlantique is a son of Triple Crown-winner American Pharoah and started his career overseas. He finished third in April, running on the lead as the favorite and going longer. Look for improvement under EPO trainer Mike Maker on the now firming turf.
Top win contenders, according to Horse Racing Nation’s Super Screener, include longshot Media Blitz (15/1), Ocean Atlantique, Ready Soul (7/2) and Sash (12/1). Horse Racing Radar’s Guaranteed Tip Sheet also makes a win case and in-the-money finish for Irideo (8/1).
Dr. Schivel and CZ Rocket, Race 10
FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 5/2
Race 10 is the $300K Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes. The 6-furlong sprint drew nine runners, and numberFire data expects favorite CZ Rocket (5/2) to continue his winning ways while running without Lasix for the first time under EPO trainer Peter Miller.
Dr. Schivel (7/2) is a value play as a win contender and top board hitter, per Guaranteed Tip Sheet. He’s 2-for-2 at Del Mar and has top jockey Flavien Prat aboard for trainer Mark Glatt, who has three entries in the race, including contender Collusion Illusion (4/1) with hot jockey Tyler Baze riding.
EPO trainer Bob Baffert tries to get Eight Rings (10/1) back to winning -- or at least being more competitive. He offers value at these odds, and so does Vertical Threat (8/1).
