Del Mar Debutante

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A field of 14 two-year-old fillies will travel seven furlongs in Monday's

$250,000 Del Mar Debutante S. (G1). Sorrento S. (G3) heroine TASHA'S MIRACLE

(Harlan's Holiday) is sure to attract much of the wagering action, and we feel

good about making her our top pick. The John Sadler trainee began her career

with a narrow defeat but has since rolled in two subsequent efforts, including a

dominant score in the Sorrento under David Flores, who will retain the mount.

The fleet filly could sit anywhere during the race and should have no trouble

with another half-furlong, leading us to believe that all she has to do is avoid

bad luck in order to take this.

IZARRA (Distorted Humor), a granddaughter of the great Bayakoa (Arg) (Consultant's

Bid), made an eye-popping late run in her debut and would be tough to hold off

with a duplicate of that effort. The Ron McAnally pupil was last at the first

call in her initial start, prior to putting in her devastating late move, and

it's more than conceivable that she could move up from that. Victor Espinoza has

the call on the late runner.

TREADMILL (E Dubai) was a smart winner of the California Thoroughbred

Breeders' Association S. last out and should handle the transition to open

company in here. Second in the Landaluce S. two prior, the bay miss has posted four

solid drills in advance of this start, including a bullet six furlongs in 1:12

1/5 from the gate most recently. Trainer Craig Dollase is winning at a 35-percent clip

for the meet, and we're betting that the California-bred could overcome the

widest post to challenge for the win. Corey Nakatani will ride.

The entry of debuter SWEET AUGUST MOON (Malibu Moon) is very intriguing to us

and we're going to take a stab and say that this one can move for Brian Koriner.

The Keystone State-bred brought $400,000 at this year's OBS March sale and has

posted a steady pattern of works in preparation for this ambitious start. The

dark bay hails from a barn that is very good with babies, so we think a strong

effort could find this one completing the superfecta at a huge price under Aaron

Gryder.

THE GOLDEN NOODLE (D'wildcat) flew late to break her maiden in the Landaluce and will be the one benefiting most if a strong pace should occur in the

early stages on this day. Trained by Jack Van Berg, the Montana-bred has posted

a pair of works over this surface and could work out a placing with a

clear trip beneath Clinton Potts.

COMICAL VACATION (Comic Strip) looked good in topping state-bred foes last

out, but will be stepping well up in class in this spot. The gray filly was a

troubled-trip fifth in her debut in the California Thoroughbred Breeders'

Association (elevated to third via disqualification), and responded nicely in

her second try for Jeff Mullins, giving the impression that she is improving.

Consider this one another with a chance at a payday under Michael Baze.

MAGIC MYTH (Johannesburg) did everything right in her debut and is another

who has a chance at a Grade 1 placing. Conditioned by Chris Paasch, the dark bay

led at every call in her first go and could be much sharper for this effort, as

many from this barn are. Mike Smith keeps the mount on the filly. SET PLAY (Van

Nistelrooy) finished second in the Sorrento last out and is an exotics threat

with anything resembling that effort for smart trainer Peter Miller. The

chestnut lass lacks the BRIS Speed numbers to compete for the win in here, but a

well-timed ride by Brice Blanc could get her in the top four.

FOXY DANSEUR (Mr. Greeley) was a decent third in the Sorrento but is facing a

better group in here and has yet to cross the finish line first for Paasch.

SPRING AWAKENING (In Excess [Ire]) earned a whopping 99 Speed number in her

maiden tally, but steps way up in class here and we'll side with others, instead

of the likely overbet bay.

SUNDAY GEISHA (Sunday Break [Jpn]) was second on the main oval at Monmouth in

her debut and will attempt to handle the synthetic stuff in here for Kelly

Breen. It's hard to back a once-raced maiden in here, but note that the winner

of that Monmouth maiden came right back to take Sunday's Sorority S. WILD BABY GIRL (Misbah)

was impressive in closing past a maiden claiming group but will need further

improvement to get a piece of this pie.

EVER SO PRETTY (Stormy Atlantic) appears much too headstrong to be effective

on this surface and might be better suited to dirt ovals. IDIDNTMEANTOO

(Fusaichi Pegasus) broke her maiden in her third career try and looks a cut

below the best in here.