Del Mar Daily Notebook

DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2007

by Brian P. Turner

Wednesday's featured stakes offering was the Cougar II H. for three-year-olds

and upward going 11 furlongs over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. A. P. Xcellent

(A.P. Indy) was sent to the gate as the heavy favorite in the small field of six

off of his performance last out in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) where he

attempted to lead the field from gate to wire only to lose by a nose at the wire

to Lava Man (Slew City Slew). The one concern regarding A. P. Xcellent had to be

that he had yet to visit the winner's circle in three prior tries on the lawn.

There was little doubt that he would be on the lead, though, and no horse in the

field appeared capable of running with him early.

Just as expected, A. P. Xcellent bounded out of the gate and guided through

the field through opening fractions that went in :25 and :49 2/5. By the time

the field had covered six furlongs in 1:14 1/5, long shot Bravo Maestro

(Stravinsky) moved up to challenge, so jockey Mike Smith dropped A. P. Xcellent

back into a nice stalking position. Once the field hit the stretch, A. P.

Xcellent made one final run at the leader but had nothing left in the tank to

sustain his bid, fading to finish next to last.

In the end, it was ATLANDO (Ire) (Hernando [Fr]) who closed from off the pace

with a nice move through the stretch drive to hit the finish line 1 1/2 lengths

clear. The bay paid a solid $23.40 for the victory as he was coming off of a

lackluster performance in the Eddie Read H. (G1) in which he finished last,

beaten by 10 1/4 lengths. In all fairness, that was his first start in nearly

five months, and that effort may have served as little more than a tune up for

the performance he put in today.

Toasted (Hennessy) rallied from last and made a nice closing move through the

stretch to cross the wire in second, a length clear of Bravo Maestro in third.

There were five sprints contested over the Polytrack Wednesday with horses on

or near the pace winning four of them. As for the one route, it was won by a

runner closing from off the pace. In addition to the feature, there was one

other turf route on the day which was won by a front runner.

Michael Baze added one to his total today and still leads the way in the

jockey standings with 18 for the meet. Joe Talamo booted home an impressive four

winners on the day and gained some serious ground on the leader as he has now

taken over the second spot in the standings with 15. Corey Nakatani went winless

but remains in third with 12.

Peter Miller's lone starter on the day did not make it into the winner's

circle, but he still leads the way in the trainer standings with six for the

meet. Doug O'Neill, Bobby Frankel and Rafael Beccera are tied for the second

spot with four winners each.

Pick 6 players get ready as no one put all the pieces of the puzzle together

today, leaving a carryover of $133,600 for Thursday's card.

Horses to Watch

3RD - HOTTEST (Unusual Heat) was content to lay well off the pace early in

this Cal-bred maiden special weight event through an opening quarter that went

in :23 before moving up to stalk the pace through a half that went in :47. Once

the field hit the stretch, the dark bay advanced to challenge for the lead and

dug in gamely, fighting all the way to the wire to hit the finish line in front

by a nose.

6TH - SO LONG SONOMA (American Chance) was content to lay off the pace early

in this allowance/optional claiming event through opening fractions of :22 and

:45 3/5. Once she hit the stretch though, the four-year-old filly closed with an

explosive turn of foot and was moving beautifully late only to miss catching the

winner by a nose at the wire. This marks the fourth second-place finish in a row

for the bay, and she won't be denied much longer.

Tomorrow's Outlook - Thursday, August 2

Thursday's 2ND race is an allowance/optional claiming event for fillies and

mares, three-years-old and up, going eight furlongs on the Polytrack. FLEETHEART

(Northern Afleet) saw her undefeated record go up in flames last out on July 21

when she tried the turf for the first time in the Osunitas H. here when she

finished last, beaten by 6 1/2 lengths. Prior to that effort, the bay had reeled

off four wins in a row, with two of those victories coming on the synthetic

surface at Hollywood. The four-year-old filly is back at a level and on a

surface where she will be competitive and could prove to be tough to run down if

she is allowed to have her way on the lead early.DONA AMELIA (Chi) (Big Blue)

appears to be the one most likely to be closing from off the pace should

Fleetheart begin to tire. The gray is coming off a fourth-place finish in the A

Gleam Invitational H. (G2) at Hollywood, where she was in last at the half

before closing with a nice turn of foot late. VELVET MOONLITE (Malibu Moon)

appears to be the one most likely to challenge for the lead early. The dark bay

has a blazing early turn of foot that could compromise Fleetheart's chances of

making it into the winner's circle.

GREAT OPINIONS (Rahy) will be dropping out of graded stakes company after

finishing fifth, beaten by 7 1/4 lengths, last out in the Milady Breeders' Cup

H. (G2) at Hollywood. The bay is another who can close from off the pace and

will be running late should the speed burn out. HEY HEY RENEE (Anziyan) also

does her best running on or near the lead, but she doesn't appear to be able to

keep up with the top two in here.

Thursday's Best Plays

1ST - RING OF FRIENDSHIP (General Meeting) appears to be capable of stealing

this 1 1/16-mile turf claiming event on the lead. The seven-year-old gelding

reeled off three second-place finishes in a row on the grass before being

claimed last out and moved into the barn of trainer Brian Koriner. The high

percentage trainer wins with 23 percent of his starters off the claim and 25

percent of the time when moving them up a class. The bay should be able to

control the pace early here and still have plenty left in the tank at the end

for the run to the finish line.

4TH - JUPITER'S STONE (Sky Classic) failed as the favorite last out after

stumbling at the start of a state-bred maiden special weight event on the grass.

The chestnut returns in that same condition today and appears to tower over this

field as he has a more than seven-point advantage in BRIS Prime Power and also

leads the way in BRIS Class rating. Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally's runners

started the meet cold but seem to be heating up a bit now. The colt could be

sitting on a huge effort here.

DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2007

by Brian P. Turner

A mere field of four went to the gate for Thursday's 2ND race, an

allowance/optional claiming event for fillies and mares, three-years-old and up,

going eight furlongs over the Polytrack. Dona Amelia (Chi) (Big Blue) was sent

to the gate as the favorite off the fact that she was taking a big class drop

after finishing fourth last out in the A Gleam Invitational H. (G2) at

Hollywood. After laying off the pace through an opening quarter that went in :23

4/5, then moving up to stalk the pace in a half that went in :48 3/5, the gray

mare closed with a nice turn of foot through the stretch drive but was forced to

settle for second, beaten by only three parts of a length.

In the end, it was GREAT OPINIONS (Rahy) who rallied from off the pace and

closed determinedly through the stretch drive to pick up the victory. The bay

was making her first start since finishing fifth in the Milady Breeders' Cup H.

(G2) at Hollywood on June 3. The five-year-old mare rebounded well off that

lackluster effort with a nice performance here.

Velvet Moonlite (Malibu Moon) crossed the wire in third, a length behind Dona

Amelia but 11 lengths clear of Hey Hey Renee (Anziyan) in last.

While the 2ND was the only route race contested over the Polytrack on the

day, there were four sprints, two of which were won by horses on or near the

pace and two by runners closing from off the pace. As for the turf, there were

two routes contested on the day with a closer winning one and a horse pressing

the pace winning the other. There was also a turf sprint on the card, which was

won by a front runner.

Michael Baze didn't added to his total today but still leads the way in the

jockey standings with 18 for the meet. Joe Talamo went winless on the day and

remains in second with 15. Corey Nakatani booted home one winner and remains in

third with 13.

Peter Miller added one to his total today and still leads the way in the

trainer standings with seven for the meet. Jeff Mullins saddled two winners on

the day and has taken over the second spot with five. Three trainers, including

Doug O'Neill and Bobby Frankel, are tied for the third spot with four winners

each.

The Pick 6 carried again today, leaving a massive carryover going into

Friday's card of $632,816.

Horses to Watch

1ST - SEEKING ANSWERS (Ire) (Shinko Forest) has now narrowly missed in both

starts since being claimed and moved into the barn of John Sadler. After

finishing third at Hollywood, beaten by three parts of a length, the bay

returned to lose by a nose here. Sadler has been a bit cold for the meet thus

far with several of his runners finishing second and third. He is eventually

going to heat up and when he does, Seeking Answers is a prime candidate to be

one of those who visits the winner's circle.

3RD - RESPECTTHEOFFICER (Officer) was extremely impressive in this maiden

claiming event. The two-year-old filly took the lead out of the gate and guided

the field through an opening quarter of :22 3/5 before widening her advantage

from there and opening up in the stretch drive to hit the finish line 6 1/4

lengths clear of her closest rival.

Tomorrow's Outlook - Friday, August 3

Friday's feature is the California Dreamin' H. for Cal-breds, three-years-old

and up, going 1 1/16 miles over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. A field of eight

is set to go to the gate and several among the field appear to have a legitimate

shot of having their picture taken. EPIC POWER (Epic Honor) has reeled off three

nice efforts in a row, including a win last out in the Korbel H. at Hollywood,

where he stalked the pace early before finishing well late for a one-length

victory. Prior to that, the gelding put in a game performance to capture the

Khaled S. also at Hollywood. The bay could prove to be tough to beat if he

maintains his current form.

LUCKY J. H. (Cee's Tizzy) is one of the more accomplished members of the

field but he will be making his first start since winning the Ack Ack H. (G3) in

June of 2006. Though he has never tried the grass in his career, the bay's

pedigree suggests he should handle it just fine if he is ready to roll after the

long vacation. BOLD CHIEFTAIN (Chief Seattle) led from gate to wire last out to

claim the victory in the Alamedan H. at Pleasanton by four lengths. In his last

start on the grass, the dark bay battled from beginning to end to finish second

by 1 1/14 lengths in the Bay Meadows Derby (G3). If allowed to have his own way

early, he could be tough to run down late.

Those looking for value may consider DADSALITTLEUNUSUAL (Unusual Heat). The

gelding is rarely off the board when he runs on the grass, as his record of

11-3-1-3 will stand testament. An upset is not out of the question here at what

should be a generous price.

Friday's Best Plays

1ST - SUGAR DOLL (Western Fame) stalked the pace early on her way to a game

victory here in her last start when she hit the finish line a nose in front

while making her first start for trainer Frank Monteleone. The four-year-old

filly will be taking a bit of a class drop in this event, which should leave her

in a great position to repeat. The chestnut is near the top of the field in BRIS

Prime Power and her BRIS Class rating tops the field.

3RD - FOREST MISS (Forestry) put in a nice effort here on July 20 when she

stalked the pace early before finishing well late to clear her maiden condition

by 1 3/4 lengths. The dark bay tops the field in BRIS Prime Power and her BRIS

Class rating also leads the way. The three-year-old filly is going well now and

is more than capable of returning to win this starter allowance event.

DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2007

by Brian P. Turner

Friday's featured stakes offering was the California Dreamin' H. for

Cal-breds, three-years-old and up, going 1 1/16 miles over the Jimmy Durante

Turf Course. When the gates sprang open, Lucky J. H. (Cee's Tizzy) sprang out of

the gate and bolted away from the field. Even though he was making his first

start since winning the Ack Ack H. (G3) in June of 2006, the bay came back full

of run as he guided the field through opening fractions of :23 2/5 and :46 1/5

while BOLD CHIEFTAIN (Chief Seattle) and Epic Power (Epic Honor) were content to

lay behind.

As the field approached the final turn, both Bold Chieftain and Epic Power

closed into the lead and pounced on the leader as they came into the stretch.

Lucky J. H. dug in gamely and held on surprisingly well considering the early

fractions that he set. In the end though, both Bold Chieftain and Epic Power ran

him down with Bold Chieftain finishing the best to hit the finish line 1 1/4

lengths in front, stopping the clock for 1 1/16 miles in 1:39 4/5, only a fifth

of a second off the track record.

Bold Chieftain was making his first start on the grass since finishing second

in the Bay Meadows Derby (G3) last November. In his most recent start, the dark

bay led from gate to wire to take the victory in the Alamedan H. at Pleasanton

by four lengths.

Epic Power finished well but could not run down the winner and was forced to

settle for second, a length in front of Lucky J. H. in third.

There were four sprints contested over the Polytrack Friday with horses on or

near the pace winning all of them. As for the three routes, runners on or near

the pace won two of these as well. The California Dreamin' was the only turf

offering on the day.

Michael Baze booted home a winner on the day and still leads the way in the

jockey standings with 19 for the meet. Joe Talamo added one to his total today

as well and remains in second with 16. Corey Nakatani went winless on the day

but remains in third with 13.

Peter Miller went winless on the day but still leads the way in the trainer

standings with seven for the meet. Doug O'Neill saddled two winners on the day

to take over the second spot with six. Craig Dollase added one to his total

today which moves him into a tie for the third spot with Jeff Mullins. The pair

has five winners each.

Horses to Watch

2ND - SILVER SQUALL (Silver Charm) made an impressive career debut for

trainer Wesley Ward in this maiden claiming event. The dark bay was content to

stalk the pace early through opening fractions of :22 4/5 and :47 before digging

in determinedly through the stretch drive to claim the victory by a half-length.

The three-year-old colt was very professional for a runner making his first

start and is only likely to improve off this effort.

4TH - DREWTHEGENTLEMAN (Yankee Gentleman) was impressive in his career debut

as well. The two-year colt was caught in a pace duel from the start as he vied

for the lead through early fractions of :23 and :47 4/5 before pulling clear in

the stretch drive and crossing the finish line two lengths in front.

Tomorrow's Outlook - Saturday, August 4

A mere field of six is set to go to the gate for Saturday's featured John C.

Mabee H. (G1) for fillies and mares, three-years-old and up, going nine furlongs

on the grass. It would be no surprise at all to see virtually any member of this

field make it into the winner's circle.

PRECIOUS KITTEN (Catienus) is coming off a second-place finish to the

extremely talented Lady of Venice (Fr) (Loup Solitaire) in the CashCall Mile

Invitational S. (G2), where she attempted to lead the field from gate-to-wire

only to come up 1 1/4 lengths short at the wire. The four-year-old filly has

also shown the ability to stalk the pace, which should leave her well placed

regardless of how things heat up on the lead. The dark bay has been the model of

consistency since moving into the barn of Bobby Frankel, compiling a record of

5-2-3-0 which includes a nice victory in the Mrs. Revere S. (G2) at Churchill at

the end of last year. Precious Kitten has finished out of the money only once in

10 starts on the turf and appears to be in an ideal spot to chalk up another win

to her total here.

ANDREA (NZ) (Danasinga [Aus]) will be looking to improve off her second-place

finish last out in the Beverly Hills H. (G2) in which she stalked the pace

throughout only to come up 2 1/2 lengths short at the line. In her North

American debut, the six-year-old mare rallied from 12 lengths off the early pace

to hit the finish line three parts of a length clear of the field against

allowance company at Hollywood. The chestnut showed in her last start that she

is a serious stakes contender and she may be ready to take the next step forward

here. PRICE TAG (GB) (Dansili [GB]) finished third last out behind Precious

Kitten in the aforementioned CashCall Mile when she rallied from off the pace to

briefly take the lead in the stretch drive before fading at the end. Prior to

that, the bay put in a stellar effort in the Gamely Breeders' Cup S. (G1),

beaten only three parts of a length in second. The four-year-old filly can

definitely contend here.

TAKE THE RIBBON (Chester House) has never quite lived up to the potential she

showed early in her career despite the fact that she is a graded stakes winner.

The bay did run well in her only other start at Del Mar, even though she was

disqualified from second to fourth in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) on that day. DANCING

EDIE (Moscow Ballet) loves the Del Mar grass, as her 3-2-1-0 record will stand

testament. The bay put in a nice gate-to-wire effort in last year's running of

this event to take the victory by a nose. The five-year-old mare will be looking

to make amends for her performance last out in the CashCall, in which she was

steadied at the head of the stretch and faded to finish eighth.

MEMORETTE (Memo [Chi]) has always been a tough competitor but her current

form may not be good enough to pick up the victory here.

Saturday's Best Plays

1ST - HEMET THOUGHT (Smokester) will be making his first start for trainer

Art Sherman after being claimed last out. Sherman is extremely dangerous off the

claim, winning 31 percent of his starts in the "1st after claim" trainer

category. Hemet Thought tops the field in BRIS Prime Power and is near the top

in BRIS Class rating. The nine-year-old gelding has shown the ability to stalk

the pace early, which should leave him in a nice position against this group

with plenty left in the tank at the end to run them down in the stretch drive.

8TH - SIXCESS (In Excess [Ire]) returned from a two-month vacation in fine

form last out as he stalked the pace early on his way to a game half-length

victory against Cal-bred allowance company at Hollywood. Though he will be

stretching out to a route distance today and facing open company, the bay

appears capable of reeling off two wins in a row for trainer Ron Ellis. Sixcess

tops the field in both BRIS Class and Prime Power ratings. The gelding is the

speediest member of the field and is capable of stealing this one on the lead if

the pace is soft or stalking early if it isn't. Either way, he could prove to be

tough to handle in this spot.

DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2007

by Brian P. Turner

Saturday's featured stakes offering was the John C. Mabee H. (G1) for fillies

and mares, three-years-old and up, going nine furlongs on the grass. With the

unexpected scratch of morning line favorite Price Tag (GB) (Dansili [GB]), a

mere field of five went to the gate.

PRECIOUS KITTEN (Catienus) inherited the role of favorite as she had finished

no worse than second in each of her last seven starts, six of which came against

graded stakes company. In her most recent effort, the dark bay attempted to lead

the field from gate to wire, only to come up 1 1/4 lengths short, in the

CashCall Mile S. (G2) at Hollywood.

When the gates sprang open, Dancing Edie (Moscow Ballet) quickly took the

lead and guided the field through early fractions of :23 2/5 and :46 4/5 while

Precious Kitten stalked just behind. It is very difficult to say that a race is

over four furlongs into it, but it was obvious watching Precious Kitten's body

language as she loped along behind the front runner that it was going to take an

epic performance by one of the members of the field to keep her out of the

winner's circle.

Precious Kitten began to close in on the front runner approaching the final

turn and once she hit the stretch, she quickly bolted to the lead and easily

widened her advantage from there to hit the finish line 1 1/2 lengths in front.

Dancing Edie, who put in an extremely determined performance considering the

early fractions she set, held on to finish second, a nose in front of a

fast-closing Memorette (Memo [Chi]) in third.

There were seven sprints contested on the Polytrack Saturday with horses on

or near the pace winning six of them while the lone route on the day was won by

a closer. In addition to the feature, there was one other turf route on the day

which was won by a runner stalking the pace.

Michael Baze added two to his total today and still leads the way in the

jockey standings with 21 for the meet. Joe Talamo went winless but remains in

second with 16. Victor Espinoza booted home two as well and has taken control of

the third spot with 14.

After saddling two winners yesterday, Doug O'Neill returned today to add

another to his total which moves him into a tie atop the trainer standings with

Peter Miller. The pair has seven winners each. Jeff Mullins saddled a winner

today and has sole possession of the third spot with six.

Horses to Watch

2ND - GOOD MAN DAN (Proud Citizen) finally cleared his maiden condition in

his fourth career start. The two-year-old colt took the lead out of the gate but

was pressed every step of the way through an opening quarter that went in :22

4/5. Once he hit the stretch though, the chestnut took command and left the

competition well behind as he crossed the finish line five lengths in front.

6TH - DELPHINA (Roar) has now run well in each of her three career starts.

After breaking her maiden first out, the dark bay returned to miss by only 1 1/4

lengths against claiming company at Hollywood. The three-year-old filly

continued her string of nice efforts in this $32,000 claiming event by stalking

the pace early through opening fractions of :22 3/5 and :46 2/5 before taking

command in the stretch drive for a game one-length victory.

Tomorrow's Outlook - Sunday, August 5

A mere field of six is set to contest Sunday's Clement L. Hirsch H. (G2) for

fillies and mares, three-years-old and up, going 1 1/16 miles over the

Polytrack. NASHOBA'S KEY (Silver Hawk) will be looking to run her lifetime mark

to a perfect six for six here and appears capable of accomplishing that goal.

The four-year-old filly is coming off of a game effort in the Vanity

Invitational H. (G1), where she stalked the pace early before taking over in the

stretch drive to hit the finish line three parts of a length clear of her

nearest rival. The bay always likes to make it exciting, as four of her five

victories to date have all come with that same three-quarter of a length margin

of victory.

SOMETHINABOUTLAURA (Dance Floor) has been on a bit of a roll herself this

year as she has claimed the victory in five of her seven starts, including a

game three-quarter of a length win last out in the A Gleam Invitational H. (G2)

at Hollywood Park. The chestnut can flash early speed if the need arises and

could be hard to run down if allowed to have her way early. BALANCE (Thunder

Gulch) has been beaten by Nashoba's Key in each of her last two starts. Last

out, she was a close second in the aforementioned Vanity and will undoubtedly be

looking to finally turn the tables here. The multiple Grade 1 winner will be

making her third start off the layoff and could be sitting on a big effort.

TOUGH TIZ'S SIS (Tiznow) rebounded from a dismal showing in the Kentucky Oaks

(G1) with a nice 3 1/2-length score in the Hollywood Breeders' Cup Oaks (G2)

last out. The three-year-old filly has been in good form outside of her effort

in Kentucky and is capable of picking up at least a share. RIVER SAVAGE (Brz)

(First American) finished a well beaten seventh last out in the aforementioned A

Gleam, but she has put together some nice efforts against graded stakes

competition on occasion. It was only in May that the dark bay vied for the lead

throughout before taking over in the stretch for a solid two-length victory in

the Hawthorne H. (G3) at Hollywood.

BAI AND BAI (Falstaff) has come up on the short end of the stick against both

Nashoba's Key and Balance in the past, and her last-out second-place effort in

the Alameda County Fillies & Mares H. at Pleasanton doesn't offer a lot to get

excited about.

Sunday's Best Plays

3RD - TEMPERANCE (Ire) (Orpen) returned from a long layoff last out with a

respectable effort here, stalking the early pace before not quite being able to

muster the needed kick late and settling for second, beaten by four lengths. The

bay posted a BRIS Speed rating in that turf event that is in line with the best

of this field and she tops this group in BRIS Prime Power. With a start under

her belt, the four-year-old filly could be sitting on a big effort.

7TH - CIDER CONE (Unusual Heat) should be a huge price in this Cal-bred

allowance/optional claiming turf event but the gelding could be capable of

pulling off the upset. The dark bay sophomore won his only start on the grass,

which came at Santa Anita back in April where he was pressed early through a

torrid early pace and still held on at the end to cross the finish line 2 1/4

lengths in front. He returned last out on the synthetic strip at Hollywood where

he was the victim of a bad start in which his head was turned when the gates

sprang open. The dark bay was far off the pace early but did finish well late to

come up 3 3/4 lengths short. Cider Cone could surprise here at a very nice

price.

DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 2007

by Brian P. Turner

Sunday's featured stakes offering was the Clement L. Hirsch H. (G2) for

fillies and mares, three-years-old and up, going 1 1/16 miles over the

Polytrack. A mere field of four went to the gate, with NASHOBA'S KEY (Silver

Hawk) being sent off by the betting public as the favorite as she put her

undefeated record on the line. In her latest effort, the four-year-old filly had

stalked the pace early on her way to a determined three-quarter of a length

victory in the Vanity Invitational H. (G1) at Hollywood. The betting public

obviously felt there was nothing in this field that would prevent her from

running her lifetime mark to a perfect six-for-six.

When the gates sprang open, longshots River Savage (Brz) (First American) and

Bai and Bai (Falstaff) moved out to vie for the lead through dawdling opening

fractions of :25 4/5 and :51 while Nashoba's Key and Balance (Thunder Gulch)

were content to trail far behind. As the field approached the final turn, both

Balance and Nashoba's Key moved up behind the front runners with Victor

Espinoza, aboard Balance, doing a fine job of blocking the favorite in against

the rail.

Espinoza was content to keep this position until the field hit the stretch,

which gave him first run toward the wire and a chance to avenge the two defeats

his mount had suffered to Nashoba's Key. The filly didn't have nearly enough in

the tank, though, and wasn't even able to get to Bai and Bai, who now had the

lead to herself. Jockey Joe Talamo never once panicked aboard Nashoba's Key and

patiently waited for a way between the three horses in front of him. Once he

finally got the bay out into the open, she unleashed an explosive turn of foot

and quickly bounded to the lead before hitting the finish line 1 1/2 lengths in

front.

Bai and Bai held on gamely to finish second, three lengths in front of a

tiring Balance in third.

While the Clement L. Hirsch was the only Polytrack route on the day, there

were six sprints contested with horses closing from off the pace winning four of

them. In addition, there were two turf routes on the day with a closer winning

one and a front runner winning the other.

Michael Baze was unable to add to his total today but still leads the way in

the jockey standings with 21 for the meet. Talamo booted home three winners, all

in tandem with trainer Carla Gaines, and remains in second with 19 followed by

Victor Espinoza with 14.

There was no change at the top of the trainer standings today as Peter Miller

and Doug O'Neill remain in a tie with seven winners each followed by Jeff

Mullins with six.

Horses to Watch

3RD - BLACK MAMBA (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe) had a very impressive North

American debut for trainer John Sadler in this eight-furlong turf event. The

four-year-old filly had been facing group company in New Zealand but had never

really had an overabundance of success against that level of competition. The

bay looked extremely impressive here, though, as she was content to lay off the

pace early through opening fractions of :23 3/5 and :47 4/5 before making a

tremendous closing move through the stretch drive and finishing powerfully late

to hit the finish line 2 1/2 lengths in front.

4TH - MAGIC MYTH (Johannesburg) had a very nice career debut for trainer

Christopher Paasch at a huge price. The dark bay took the lead shortly after

leaving the gate and guided the field through an opening quarter of :22 4/5

before holding off all challengers in the stretch drive to hit the finish line 1

1/4 lengths in front, paying a very juicy $41.80 for the effort.

Tomorrow's Outlook - Monday August 6

Monday's 7TH race is a Cal-bred allowance/optional claiming event, for

three-year-olds and up, going 6 1/2 furlongs over the Polytrack. A field of 12

has been entered in the event and MY CITY BY THE BAY (Perfect Mandate) could

prove the one to beat. The chestnut is coming off a second-place effort here on

July 21 in which he stalked the early pace and actually took the lead in the

stretch drive before surrendering late to come up 1 1/4 lengths short. The

gelding has finished second in three of his last four starts, beating several

members of this field in the process, and could finally be ready for a return to

the winner's circle.

MY MAN MURF (Anziyan) will be trying the Polytrack after three straight

attempts on the grass, including a nice stamina builder going 1 1/16 miles in

his last start. The bay came up only three parts of a length short when he

crossed paths with My City by the Bay and will try to turn the tables now.

SCANDALOUS (Memo [Chi]) has been in good form ever since moving to the synthetic

surface at Hollywood and is coming off a nice effort back in the middle of June

where he stalked the early pace before moving up to press the leader, only to

come up short by a neck at the wire.

ACQUIRE THE FIRE (Globalize) is coming off a respectable third-place finish

in the Forrest White S. at Stockton and could prove capable here with his best

effort.

Monday's Best Plays

4TH - COMICAL VACATION (Comic Strip) comes from the Horses to Watch list

after the trouble she had in her debut in the California Thoroughbred Breeders'

Association S. here on July 20. The two-year-old filly was absolutely mugged

from both sides at the start but recovered well and finished with a nice turn of

foot late to come up two lengths short. The gray did have a bit of consolation

though, as she was moved from fifth to third via disqualification because of the

incident at the start. With a clean trip here, she could prove tough to beat.

7TH - My City by the Bay appears to be in a prime spot for a return to the

winner's circle. The chestnut tops the field in BRIS Prime Power and he has ran

a faster BRIS Speed rating than any member of the field.

DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2007

by Brian P. Turner

Monday's 7TH race was a Cal-bred allowance/optional claiming event for

three-year-olds and up going 6 1/2 furlongs over the Polytrack. A field of 12

went to the gate with Scandalous (Memo [Chi]) being sent off as the post-time

favorite. The chestnut was coming off a nice second-place effort against

state-bred allowance company at Hollywood, in which he vied for the lead early

before taking the lead in the stretch drive only to get caught at the wire.

In the end, though, it was JOHNNY EVES (Skimming) who broke from the outside

post and sprinted to the lead, guiding the field through opening fractions of

:23 1/5 and :47 before opening up in the stretch drive for an easy four-length

victory. The bay broke his maiden with a game half-length victory at Hollywood

back in June before returning in early July to finish a troubled fifth, beaten

by 4 1/4 lengths, against allowance company. The gelding encountered no such

issues here, as his outside post provided him a trouble-free trip, leaving him

to put in a very impressive performance.

My Man Murf (Anziyan) finished well from off the pace late to cross the wire

in second, a nose in front of Bestdressed (Lit de Justice) in third.

In addition to the 7TH, there were five main-track sprints contested on the

day, with horses on or near the pace winning all of them. As for the lone

Polytrack route, it was won by a runner closing from off the pace. There was

also one turf route contested on the day, which was also won by a closer.

Michael Baze added three wins to his total today and still leads the way in

the jockey standings with 24 for the meet. Joe Talamo went winless on the day

but remains in second with 19. Corey Nakatani booted home a winner on the day,

which moves him into a tie for the third spot with Victor Espinoza. The duo has

14 winners each.

Jeff Mullins visited the winner's circle with both of his starters today and

has taken the lead in the trainer standings with eight for the meet. Doug

O'Neill and Peter Miller are now in a tie for second with seven winners each.

Horses to Watch

2ND - MINI TALES (Tale of the Cat) won this 5 1/2-furlong maiden claiming

event impressively in her second career start. The two-year-old filly vied for

the lead through an opening quarter that went in :23 2/5 before taking command

on the turn and digging in determinedly through the stretch drive for a

hard-earned, two-length victory.

3RD - HONORED GOLD (Double Honor) showed nothing when first trying the grass

at Calder in November of last year, but her second try on the turf proved to be

the charm in this claiming event. The bay was content to lay off the pace early

through opening fractions of :22 3/5 and :45 2/5 before moving up to take

command in the stretch drive and hitting the finish line 4 1/2 lengths in front

under nothing but a hand ride.

4TH - COMICAL VACATION (Comic Strip) lived up to all the promise she showed

when debuting in the California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association S. here on

July 20, when she was the victim of a mugging at the start and trouble in the

stretch, only to come up two lengths short. Though she was moved from fifth to

third that day via disqualification, one had to wonder if she could have

actually pulled off the victory with a clean trip. Those questions were brought

even more to the forefront in this maiden special weight event, as she guided

the field through an opening quarter that went in :23 before opening up in the

stretch drive for an easy 4 1/4-length victory while barely breaking out of a

canter.

Outlook for Wednesday, August 8

Wednesday's featured stakes offering is the Sorrento S. (G3) for two-year-old

fillies going 6 1/2 furlongs over the Polytrack. A field of nine has been

entered, headed by ONE HOT WISH (Bring the Heat), who is scheduled to make her

long awaited return to the track after setting the world record for 4 1/2

furlongs in her debut at Keeneland back in April. The chestnut was entered here

in the aforementioned California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association S. but was

scratched because the connections didn't feel that she was ready yet to put in

her best performance. If the filly puts in anywhere near the performance she did

at Keeneland when she spanked the boys by 12 1/4 lengths, she should prove to be

one tough customer here.

CARBELLA (Cartwright) has crossed the finish line first in all four of her

starts, but she doesn't have an unbeaten record because she was disqualified and

placed fifth in her career debut. Carbella has since posted a pair of stakes

victories, with her latest win coming in the Wine Country Juvenile Filly S. at

Santa Rosa, where she stalked the pace early on her way to an easy 2 1/2-length

victory. The only question surrounding the chestnut is how well she will handle

the Polytrack. TASHA'S MIRACLE (Harlan's Holiday) broke her maiden last out in

very nice fashion, as she led from gate to wire for an easy 2 1/2-length victory

at Hollywood. After starting the meet off cold, the barn of trainer John Sadler

has definitely started to heat up, so she deserves a bit of attention.

AMERICAN COUNTY (Gibson County) has made the trek west after a respectable

third-place effort in the Debutante S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. The bay fits in

well here with any improvement at all. SET PLAY (Van Nistelrooy) is exiting a

nice third-place finish in the Landaluce S. at Hollywood. Trainer Miller has

been red-hot for the meet, so there is little doubt that this one will be set

for a nice effort.

FOXY DANSEUR (Mr. Greeley) showed dramatic improvement here in her last

start, when she missed breaking her maiden by only a neck. If the dark bay

continues her progress, she could at least get a share. PRINCESS SUSAN M (Jump

Start) broke her maiden here last out against fellow high-priced maiden

claimers, but it will take a big step forward for her to have an impact here.

ANOTHER ALEYNA (Out of Place) showed some promise when finishing second in

the Cinderella S. but tailed off drastically last out in the Landaluce. The

chestnut will need a major turnaround. ELSIE JO (Richter Scale) led from gate to

wire last out against maiden claiming company but doesn't appear to be as fast

as the speediest of these.

Wednesday's Best Plays

3RD - EXCESS TEMPTATIONS (In Excess [Ire]) will be returning from a 15-month

layoff, but the gelding has been working forwardly for his return to the track,

including four nice works here at Del Mar. The five-year-old fits in well

against this bunch and actually tops the field in BRIS Prime Power. The bay has

three wins to show from four starts on the grass and appears to be a likely

contender to add another win to his total if he is ready after the vacation.

6TH - PLACID LAKE (Greenwood Lake) returned from a more than two-year layoff

last out to easily break her maiden against claiming company by 4 3/4 lengths.

The five-year-old mare has posted three nice maintenance works here at Del Mar

since then and may just be ready for another visit to the winner's circle

against this starter allowance field. The bay tops the field by nearly four

points in BRIS Prime Power and is also tops in BRIS Class rating.