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DEL MAR NOTEBOOK JULY 29, 2010 by John Mucciolo Trainer James Cassidy unleashed a couple potent runners on his competition during the much-anticipated opening week at Del Mar. Eddie Read S. (G1): Don Van Racing et al's THE USUAL Q. T. (Unusual Heat) left little doubt as to who is the best turf horse on the West Coast with a superb showing under pilot Victor Espinoza. The gelded four-year-old smoked nine grassy panels in 1:47 1/5 while a measured two lengths clear under the line for Cassidy. San Clemente H. (G2): Tom and Marilyn Braly's EVENING JEWEL (Northern Afleet) swept to the lead near midstretch and powered home a sharp heroine in this affair for Cassidy. The Grade 1 queen sped one mile on the firm oval in 1:35 1/5 under the guidance of Espinoza. Track Stats From a total of 45 races held over the coastal racetrack during the five-day race week, favorites won at a 31 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 49 percent of the wins. From 29 frays contested on the Polytrack oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (24 percent), while none of the 16 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead. We learned after last summer that front runners don't have the greatest of chances on most occasions at Del Mar, and opening week further backed our observations. While you don't have to be closing from the clouds, it still helps to be settled a few lengths back early. We're surprised at the amount of winning favorites and second choices (49 percent combined), considering the change in locale and surface, as well as the presence of many bigger fields. Good work public! Horses breaking wider than post 6 fared best this week, and it seemed that racing a few lengths off the rail was a good thing for the majority of the week. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (7/22) 3RD -- PINK DIAMOND (Mineshaft) ran huge in here to just miss to a fine runner by a nose in this turf dash for trainer Marcelo Polanco. We're still curious why this lass was in for $8,000 a few starts back. 5TH -- We've long liked WAVELINE (Stravinsky) and were glad to see the talented mare return from a long break in such fine fashion for Ben Cecil. The five-year-old had been off for more than a year, but she showed no rust in cruising past a solid group. Friday (7/23) 6TH -- Trainer James Cassidy had a week to remember at Del Mar, and it started with exciting sophomore turf runner KID EDWARD (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire]) in this one. Unraced since December, the three-year-old colt flew home in :29 2/5 for his final five-sixteenths and should be a major player in the turf stakes ranks throughout this campaign. Saturday (7/24) 3RD -- LAURA BEASLEY (Walk That Walk) finally broke through while appearing to be much the best in here for conditioner Matthew Chew. It's possible this win will be a sign of good things to come after numerous placings. 6TH -- We loved the way BURG BERG (Johannesburg) ran in here, settling off a clear early leader, kicking on turning for home and battling to the wire in a sharp second-place showing for trainer Juan Paco Gonzalez. 7TH -- JUST IMAGINE (Unbridled's Song) was heavily backed and impressed from a visual standpoint with his late stride, so we'll keep an eye on this Doug O'Neill pupil. 8TH -- The Usual Q. T. has to be among the top two turf horses in the country and continues to improve. His connections said he might have been a bit short for this race, too! Sunday (7/25) 4TH -- DAZZLING DISPLAY (Dehere) put forth a big effort in her debut for Bob Baffert in this one, finishing well clear in second while being live on the board throughout. The prospect should be very tough next out and could easily be of stakes quality. A Look Ahead Sunday's $250,000 Bing Crosby S. (G1) highlights a trio of graded races at Del Mar this weekend, with the $200,000 San Diego H. (G2) on Saturday and Friday's $125,000 Cougar II H. (G3) also slated.
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