Del Mar Closing Day Best Bet

Sept. 8: Del Mar — Race 4

#9 Practical Dream

It’s tough to go against trainer Bob Baffert in these baby maiden races but in doing so we are going to get a much better price on this filly who is actually out working the heavily favored Cash Call.

Practical Dream has posted some of the fastest morning workouts in the field that include a 5F move in :59 and a 4F :47.

Trainer Tim Yakteen is great with these beginners and this filly cost a pretty penny as well at $210,000.

Look for straight speed today as this filly should just be too quick for them with a solid sprinting pedigree.

Del Mar Pacific Classic Weekend Best Bet

Sept. 2: Del Mar — Race 3

#4 Show Card

Hello star connections with trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Juan Hernandez on a $250,000 purchased filly.

Baffert says she loves to run long after entering her into a Grade 2 to make her route debut back in June and now returns her Monday into a much easier 100K stakes at 1 mile.

This race doesn’t come up tough for the level and this gal has already shown more than enough ability to beat this field making her second start routing.

Look for Hernandez to sit the perfect trip and take the lead turning for home for yet another winner with the Hall of Fame trainer.

Del Mar Best Bet: Aug. 29

Del Mar — Race 3

#3 Terry’s Boy

Terry’s Boy has the class and is rounding into form as he enters Thursday’s claiming race.

The 7-year-old gelding is dropping down to his lowest class level where he has never finished out of the money while making his third start of a layoff (often a horse’s best effort).

He has some of the highest speed figures in the field (and that was against tougher competition) while making his first start for a strong trainer in Jeff Mullins.

Terry’s Boy has already won twice at this 5F distance and he should return to the winner’s circle at a very nice price.

Del Mar Best Bet: Aug. 25

Del Mar — Race 7

#3 Handy Dandy

Talk about a horse with back class that is head and shoulders above this field.

Handy Dandy was running in Grade 1 and Grade 2 races just a couple of years ago and he now finds himself in his easiest race in recent years while making his debut run for first-off-the-claim master trainer Bob Hess.

The 5-year-old is not in those stakes’ races anymore, and he can handle this field with ease just on his class alone while making his third start of a layoff with a pedigree that says routing on turf is the perfect combo.

Adding SoCal’s top rider in Juan Hernandez just adds to the intrigue to make Handy Dandy an easy bet to make on Sunday.

Del Mar Best Bet: Aug. 22

Del Mar — Race 8

#9 Jack Kerouac

We close out Thursday’s race card with our best bet of the day. Jack Kerouac has never been this low class-wise since breaking his maiden and is certainly not facing any monsters in here.

The 3-year-old colt sports some of the highest speed figures while facing tougher and one of the better jockeys Antonio Fresu saw enough from him last time out while running into trouble down the stretch to also return for the ride.

Jack Kerouac’s pedigree says the distance and turf should be no problem.

Look for a nice stalking trip from the outside post as we collect a win at what should be a very decent price.

Del Mar Best Bet: Aug. 11

Del Mar — Race 2

#3 No More Ding Dongs

Our favorite rider has returned to SoCal and this is the first time we can call him a best bet since his return to Del Mar.

Joe Talamo rides for trainer Sean McCarthy in this maiden special weight event and is the speed of the speed.

Talamo has already ridden the 3-year-old to a 2nd place finish in a similar race but was denied that day just by a neck.

His speed figure from that race is one of the top numbers in the field and his pedigree says the 6F distance is more than perfect for the speed-favoring track.

Look for us to get a great price on Joe Tal in a race where he should control the speed from start to finish on a horse that will be more relaxed with the blinkers off.

Kentucky Derby ‘24 Best Bet

Churchill Downs — Race 12

#2 Sierra Leone

This year’s Kentucky Derby looks to be full of speed so look for a closer to take the 150th Derby.

And we are going with the $2.3 million purchase who has already shown a solid closing kick.

Sierra Leone enters with some of the top figures in the field and should only improve making his third start off a layoff.

This 3-year-old colt has been working solidly for some of the best connections.

Pace makes the race and Sierra Leone should not only take another step forward but also be making up the most ground down the lane.

Keeneland April 26: Horse to watch and best bet

Keeneland — Race 4

#5 Barbara T

We’ve been waiting for this horse to return after an outstanding second in debut at Del Mar. Not only does she return in a MSW event, but gets shipped to Kentucky with the same top rider in Flavien Prat.

Friday’s race doesn’t come up that tough and this filly has a solid work pattern to get her into shape.

Look for Barbara T to flash her early speed and just pull away late for what should be an easy victory.

Keep her on your list even after this race.

Del Mar Opening Day Best Bet: July 21

Del Mar — Race 8

#9 Conclude

The Oceanside Stakes is always a fun event to bet on Opening Day and this year is no different. We are going with Conclude as our best bet of the day. This 3-year-old colt showed huge promise earlier this year taking down the Desert Code stakes wire-to-wire while battling the entire way. He has since been given time off and returns to run in a race without much pace. Love the trainer-jockey combination for a young horse on the improve. Conclude already has some of the highest numbers in the field and should get a perfect trip on or near the lead today.

Kentucky Derby ‘23 Best Bet

Churchill Downs — Race 12

#3 Two Phil’s

We are going with a longshot in this year’s Kentucky Derby. Two Phil’s enters this race with the best speed figure of the field in their last start along with the best pedigree to get the 1 1/4 mile trip. You don’t see many trip notes saying, “cleared with authority” but that is what Phil has in his last race. Look for Phil’s to sit behind the speed and power home down the stretch as he enters this race on an upswing that should continue Saturday at a very nice price under regular rider Jareth Loveberry.