Del Mar Daily Notebook

DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK

MONDAY, JULY 24, 2006

by Brian P. Turner

A field of seven went to the gate for Monday's 7TH race, an allowance/optional claiming

event for fillies and mares, three-years-old and upward, going eight furlongs

over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. CHARM THE GIANT (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) was

sent to the post as the heavy even-money favorite off her last

five career starts in which she had posted a record of 3-1-1. This included an

impressive two-length score here at Del Mar last August where she registered a career best 101 BRIS Speed

rating.

The four-year-old filly rewarded the chalk players by stalking the pace early

through opening fractions of :23 and :46 1/5 before taking command in the

stretch drive for an easy 1 3/4-length victory. Polyfirst (Fr) (Poliglote [GB])

was trying a route for the first time since shipping to North America and put in

a very solid effort while vying for the lead throughout to pick up the place.

The drop from stakes competition was still not enough for Lock And Key

(Ire) (Key Of Luck) to make it into the winner's circle as she rallied from off

the pace to finish another half-length back in third.

There were five sprints contested on the main track Monday with horses on or

near the pace winning four of them while the lone dirt route was also won by a front

runner. In addition to the 7TH, there was one other turf route which was

won in gate to wire fashion.

Martin Garcia booted home a pair of winners on the day to move into a tie

atop the jockey standings with Victor Espinoza. The pair has nine winners each.

Alex Solis guided home Charm The Giant in the 7TH to maintain sole possession of

the third spot with six.

Jerry Hollendorfer continues to lead the way in the trainer standings with

three winners for the meet but the log jam in second continues to grow as there

are currently 13 trainers tied with two winners each.

Pick 6 players should begin handicapping as, surprisingly, no one had all six

winners on the card today leaving a carryover for Wednesday's card of

$140,853.28.

Horses to Watch

3RD - NONSENSICAL (Point Given) absolutely dominated this maiden special

weight field in spectacular fashion. The chestnut bounded out of the gate and

onto the lead, guiding the field through early fractions of :22 3/5 and :46 1/5

before opening up in the stretch drive for an impressive nine-length score. It

will be interesting to see what the connections have in store next for the

talented three-year-old.

6TH - EXCESSIVEOBSESSION (In Excess [Ire]) reeled off her third win in a row

in this state-bred allowance/optional claiming event by stalking the pace early through

opening fractions of :21 3/5 and :44 2/5 before taking over in the stretch drive

for a solid 1 1/4-length victory. The gray is undefeated since moving into the

barn of Brian Koriner and only seems to be improving with each start.

Outlook for Wednesday, July 26

A field of eight Cal-bred two-year-olds is set to go to the gate for

Wednesday's featured 5 1/2-furlong Graduation S. Several in this field appear to

have a chance, including ZONING IN (Bertrando), who already has a stakes win to

his credit against open company at Bay Meadows. The bay should be on or near the

pace early which will leave him in contention for the run to the wire.

SPOT THE DIPLOMAT (Worldly Manner) and TWIN FIN (Swiss Yodeler) are coming

off solid maiden scores where they each posted very nice BRIS Speed ratings.

Both will be on or near the pace early and appear to be more than capable.

RIVER ECHO (Swiss Yodeler) overcame trouble in his career debut to finish

second against open maiden special weight company. The bay posted a solid BRIS

Speed rating in that event and definitely looms a threat here.

Wednesday's forecast calls for mostly sunny skies with highs in the low 80s.

Wednesday's Best Plays

3RD - KEY OF SOLOMON (Ire) (Machiavellian) is coming off a nice effort

where he rallied from well off the pace for a 1 1/2-length victory. In that

event, he defeated Fire Wood (Woodman) who came back to win here on Sunday. The

chestnut has shown improvement in each start since arriving in North America and

he is near the top of the field in BRIS Prime Power. Toss in the fact that he

comes from the always dangerous barn of Neil Drysdale, who has had two winners

from three starters thus far for the meet, and there is a lot to like at what

should be a square price.

6TH - BONUS PACK (Colonial Affair) appears to tower over the field in this

claiming event. Though it has been a while since he visited the winner's circle,

the dark bay will be taking a drop in class that makes him hard to beat. The

dark bay's recent BRIS Speed ratings tower over this field and he also has the

advantage in BRIS Prime Power and BRIS Class rating.