We are down to the final seven days of the Del Mar meet, and the new month kicks off a Pick 6 carryover of more than $168k.
The Pick 6 begins in the 4th race. Launch The Bull (5-2) and The Whammer (3-1) head a field of ten maiden sprinters. Ringolevio (4-1) and Unbridled Papillon (6-1) also figure to attract support.
The 5th race a claiming sprint for the ladies, and Wada Falls (3-1) is the morning line fav in the wide open 10-horse field.
Saarface is an early scratch in the 6th, and AE Gilligan (6-1) could still draw in with another …read more

The 2009 Del Mar season has arrived, and I am going to cover the Pick 6 on a daily basis.
My daily Pick 6 analysis can be found on pick6blog.com.
In addition to analysis, I will be including tickets using the Daily Racing Form’s Ticket Maker program.
As I mentioned in my opening day post, I will tread lightly until track bias and jockey/trainer information comes into focus. In the meantime, I will use 2008 track trends to help construct my tickets.
Also, I will be updating posts during each raceday, so check back often. It is going to be an exciting seven weeks!
Wednesday’s …read more

The $200k San Felipe is the final major local prep for the Santa Anita Derby (April 4th), and the lone stakes winner (Pioneerof The Nile) looms a standout in the field of seven.

Pioneerof The Nile has won his last two graded synthetic routes at this distance (8.5f) since moving to the Bob Baffert barn, and today’s pilot Garrett Gomez is 2-2 with him. The son of Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker does not have to win this as he has more than enough graded earnings to make it into the Derby starting gate, but the class of the field …read more

I Want Revenge uncorked a 113 BSF en route to a romping Gotham Stakes (G3) tally (replay below) while trying conventional dirt for the first time. He showed quality on synthetic, and his connections (Mullins/Talamo) were spot-on in saying he would move up on dirt. He will ship back to his Hollywood Park base before returning to the Big A for the Wood Memorial on April 4th.
Imperial Council ran a quality race to grab the place in his first start around two turns. If you like Shug’s well bred colt, don’t give up on him because the …read more

Fountain of Youth
Early/pressing type Quality Road (Elusive Quality) was easily best over clear runner-up Theregoesjojo (Brahms) in the one-turn mile (113 BSF). The aforementioned duo are expected to go next in the Florida Derby, which will be their initial foray around two turns. Without route foundation, they could be in deep water on the 1st Saturday in May, but they are serious players over the Gulfstream speedway, especially the winner. Don’t be shocked in either or both ship out of town (Wood Memorial?) for the next engagements.
Graded route hero Beethoven (Sky Mesa) ran on well to land the …read more

Saturday’s $200k Sham Stakes is a key local nine furlong prep for the April 4th Santa Anita Derby, and many of these need graded earnings if they hope to make it to the starting gate in the Kentucky Derby.

The Pamplemousse, the 9-5 morning line favorite, has won two straight, including the Grade 3 San Rafael at a flat mile here. Alex Solis/Julio Canani are 4-7 together, and the early/pressing type might get brave if able to sneak away early. He gets a stamina test today and will not offer much wagering value.
Mr. Hot Stuff is on the upswing …read more

Wednesday (2-25-09) recap
Edge to early/pressing types (2 wire jobs) on Pro-Ride. Stalkers nabbed the two downhill sprints, and Sunny Peace (Solis-Gallagher) pulled off a wire job at the speed friendly flat mile (turf) distance.
Chantal Sutherland booted home a pair of filly maiden claiming sprinters, and Jeff Mullins saddled two maiden claiming winners on the card.

Thursday (2-26-09) preview
Today’s card features a Pick 6 carryover of $704,945.
Weather: Partly cloudy. High 70.
Race 3: Pick 6 starts here. Vague Notion (5-2) just missed the place in her productive race bow, then came back to rally for 2nd last time. …read more

Weekend recap (Feb 21-22), plus news and notes

Georgie Boy did not disappoint as the heavy fav in Saturday’s San Carlos (G2). Halo Najib ran well to garner the place, and I would not be surprised if the Mike Mitchell runner stretched out in the near future.
On Sunday, Spring House held off Church Service to repeat in San Luis Obispo Hcp (G2). Zambezi Sun finished a disappointing 6th in US bow…he still might be Big Cap bound.
Rail Trip ran his record to 4-4 on Friday, but the promising Ron Ellis runner is not expected for the Big Cap. His …read more

Merus Miami is expected to scratch due to foot abcess, and that will leave a field of six for Saturday’s nine furlong Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby.

Chocolate Candy (Candy Ride-Seattle Slew) continues his Kentucky Derby march, and he needs a win here to boost his graded earnings. He’s won 3 of his last 4, with his lone loss in that timeframe a fine 3rd to Pioneerof The Nile in the CashCall Futurity (G1). He nabbed the local prep for this and is training forwardly for Jerry Hollendorfer. Russell Baze got to know him last time, and seemingly the longer …read more

A field of nine will go to post in Saturday’s Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita, an early season prep for the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in April.

Bittel Road (Stormy Atlantic) was stuck out in post 10 in the CashCall Futurity, and he was hardly disgraced in 4th place finish. He owns valuable stakes experience and owns running style vesatility for Johnny V/Pletcher. He appears capable of reversing decisions on his CashCall rivals.

Pioneerof The Nile (Empire Maker) won the CashCall from off the pace, and he is reportedly working great for this. Baffert will have him fully …read more