Del Mar Daily Notebook

DEL MAR DAILY NOTEBOOK

OPENING DAY PREVIEW, 2007

by Brian P. Turner

It is the dawning of a new era at Del Mar as the seaside track becomes the

latest North American venue to switch to a synthetic racing surface. Though the

aura of the Southern California track is steeped in tradition, the management of

Del Mar has jumped to the forefront of modern technology with the installation

of a $9 million Polytrack surface that most likely will change the

complexion of the racing conducted there forever. If Del Mar follows in the path

of the tracks that have preceded it, the number of gate-to-wire winners will be

greatly reduced as Polytrack tends to be much fairer than traditional racing

surfaces and, in many cases, seems to favor horses closing from off the pace. If

past examples hold true, the bias toward closers will especially be apparent

during the first couple of weeks of the meet as Polytrack tends to be very puffy

and loose until it gets enough traffic over the strip to compact it. It would be

wise to observe a few races before plunging too deeply.

Another bit of modern technology that will be making its debut at the meet

will be the Trackus system that utilizes transmitters in the saddlecloths of the

horses to monitor their position throughout the race then broadcasts that

information onto the tote board. Del Mar will be the second track, along with Keeneland, in the United States to offer this service to its patrons. This

allows less experienced or novice horseplayers to easily follow their horse via

computer generated images on the screen.

The one true tradition of Del Mar since it first opened in 1937 has

been great Thoroughbred racing, and that constant remains unchanged. Over the

course of the 43-day meet, there will be 42 stakes races, 19 of

which are graded. Seven of these events carry Grade 1 status with the premier

offering of the meet coming on Sunday, August 19, in the form of the 10-furlong

Pacific Classic S. (G1). The field for this event is expected to include

defending champion LAVA MAN (Slew City Slew), who will be looking to sweep the trifecta of the Santa Anita H. (G1), the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), and the

Classic for the second year in a row.

As is always the case, the Del Mar meet will be a great testing ground for

those with aspirations of competing in the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred

Championships to be held this year at Monmouth Park on October 26 and 27. The

wide variety of stakes offered by the Southern California track are tailor made

to serve as preps for that event. This is evidenced by the fact that a total of

24 competitors in last year's Breeders' Cup had made at least one start at Del

Mar.

The Pacific Classic, the Del Mar Breeders' Cup Mile S. (G2), and the Pat

O'Brien Breeders' Cup H. (G2) have additional World Thoroughbred Championship

implications this year as they are all part of the "Win and You're In" promotion

sponsored by the Breeders' Cup. The winner of each of these events will be

guaranteed a spot in the starting gate come Breeders' Cup Day.

Jockey Victor Espinoza will be looking for his third Del Mar riding title in

a row, and fourth in his career, after absolutely dominating the meet

last year. The regular Southern California rider booted home 64 winners over the

course of last year's meet -- 29 more than Martin Garcia in second. Keep

an eye on the young tandem of Michael Baze and apprentice Joe Talamo as the pair

finished first and second, respectively, at the just concluded Hollywood meeting. Baze, 20, became the youngest jockey to win a riding title at the

Hollywood Spring/Summer Meet since Bill Shoemaker in 1950.

As for the trainers, Doug O'Neill came out on top in last year's standings

after a heated battle with both Jeff Mullins and Bob Baffert. O'Neill ended the

meet with 19 winners -- three more than Mullins in second and four more

than Baffert in third. Those looking for value will want to keep a close eye on

Brian Koriner as he won with 10 of his 23 starters last year. A win wager on

each of his starters produced a return of $5.02 for every $2 invested.

Opening Day Outlook

Del Mar's opening day feature is the Oceanside S. for three-year-olds going

eight furlongs on the grass. In the past, it has been the norm for this event to

be split into two divisions, but the number of entrants this year necessitated that it be divided into three. The first of these kicks off

Wednesday's card, with a field of nine scheduled to go to the gate. The most

accomplished grass competitors among this bunch are all European runners who

will be making their first North American start, and any of them appear capable

of making it into the winner's circle.

TEN A PENNY (Gulch) has compiled a record of 5-4-0-0 over the course of his

brief career, but only one of those victories actually came on the lawn. In his

only other start on the grass, the dark bay rallied from well off the pace to

finish fourth and was beaten by only 2 1/2 lengths. Trainer Craig Dollase has

had the colt working regularly at Hollywood and he should be sitting on a nice

effort.

MEN'S MAGAZINE (Ity) (Dr. Devious [Ire]) is undefeated thus far in three

career starts and all of his victories have come on the lawn. The bay has been

working steadily at Hollywood for his North American debut and trainer Ron McAnally undoubtedly will have him ready to put in his best effort. KARAZI (Swi)

(Arazi) has compiled a record of 7-3-1-1 on the grass with two wins at today's

distance while competing in France. Though one has to wonder about the level of

the company he has been facing in Europe, the fact that the gray comes from the

barn of John Sadler means that he must be respected.

As for the American-based runners, UNUSUAL SUSPECT (Unusual Heat) has a

record of 9-3-1-2 on the turf which includes a win here at Del Mar. The colt

could definitely be a factor with his best effort.

The second division of the Oceanside is the 4TH race and a

field of 10 is scheduled to go to the gate. GWEEBARRA (GB) (Lomitas [GB]) put in a

nice effort in his North American debut back in May on the grass at Hollywood as

he closed from just off the pace to pick up a game victory against

allowance company. The gelding put in some nice efforts in Europe as well,

including a second-place finish in the Acomb S. (Eng-G3) at York. The fact that the

bay comes from the barn of Neil Drysdale only makes him more dangerous.

TYCOON DOBY (Cherokee Run) is coming off of a nice third-place effort in the

Cinema Breeders' Cup H. (G3) at Hollywood where he faded late after attempting

to lead the field from gate to wire. The bay has run well in all three starts on

the grass and has shown versatility in his running style which will benefit him

here. LAW BREAKER (Silver Deputy) will be making his first start since February

when he came up a neck short in the San Vicente S. (G2) at Santa Anita. The bay

has run well on the grass in the past and could pose a threat if he is ready

after the long vacation.

DOUBLE ACTION (Double Honor) has been showing great improvement of late

and can't be ruled out if he takes to the lawn.

The final division of the Oceanside is the 7TH race and a

field of 10 is set to go to the post. MAYOR BOZARTH (Deputy Commander) has come

close in each of his three tries against stakes competition since moving into

the barn of trainer Bobby Frankel. The dark bay is coming off a third-place

effort in the Will Rogers S. (G3) at Hollywood where he missed by only a half-length. The colt has shown versatility in his running style which should allow

jockey Brice Blanc to have him well placed regardless of how fast or slow the

field is going early. This appears to be a prime spot for him to finally make a

return to the winner's circle.

VAUQUELIN (Ire) (Xaar) is coming off a nice two-length victory

against allowance company at Hollywood and has only finished out of the money

once in eight starts on the grass. The bay's best BRIS Speed ratings on the

grass put him right in the thick of things. YARIO (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) put in

a bit of a dull effort last out in the Will Rogers but was

extremely impressive in his North American debut prior to that start. A return

to form definitely makes him a threat.

LEVEL RED (Aptitude) will be returning from a layoff and hoping to regain the

form he showed prior to a dismal showing in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). The bay

has posted a couple of nice works on the grass and can't be ruled out at what

should be a square price.

Wednesday's Best Plays

5TH - COOL HAND LUCCA (Honour and Glory) took a drop in class last out and

improved dramatically as he closed from off the pace and finished well late to

miss breaking his maiden by only three-quarters of a length. The dark bay tops the

field in BRIS Prime Power by nearly seven points and his best Speed ratings

are on par with the best of these.

7TH - Mayor Bozarth has run well in each of his six starts on the grass and

may be in an ideal spot for a long-overdue victory. The dark bay's BRIS Class

rating is at the top of the field and he is near the top in Prime Power.