Del Mar Fall Meet Opens Friday: November 10 Horse Racing Picks

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10 November 2023

Del Mar Fall Meet Opens Friday: November 10 Horse Racing Picks

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club returns for its 2023 fall meet on Friday. The famous California track was recently named the host for the 2025 Breeders’ Cup. The announcement means it will host in back to back years. They had already been selected to hold the event in 2024.

Controversial Breeders’ Cup Decision

To many casual fans the recent announcement that Del Mar would hold back to back Breeders’ Cup was met with ire. Particularly for those on the east coast who will watch three consecutive world championships hosted on the southern California circuit.

Decision Out Of Necessity

While there have been calls by many to bring back the original spirit of the rotating event, there are several reasons why the committee didn’t have much choice in the matter.

Perfect Weather

Despite having one of the wettest years on record, the 2023 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita featured the usual perfect weather. The NFL hesitates to put the Super Bowl in cold weather climates because its harder to build a good fan experience.

The same is true in horse racing, the predictability of California weather is much nicer than the potential weather that could meet the event were it to be held in a place like New York.

Limited Options

Despite the weather the Breeders’ Cup has frequently traveled east to race in Kentucky at both Churchill Downs and Keeneland. However, in 2025 Keeneland which was the likeliest venue will have some major renovations that eliminated it from consideration.

The same is true of Belmont Park even if the event was interested in moving there for the year.

Del Mar Opening Day Full Card Analysis

The opening day from Del Mar features a compact 8 race card which features the Let it Ride as the lone stakes race.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club- 1

Post: 12:30 PM PT; $28k Claiming going 1 m on turf; Entries: 6

#2 LEOPARDESS (8-5) is the top selection. She possesses a good closing kick that could secure the win in this race.
#1 KATERINI (9-5) has a shot here. She races for the Knapp barn with Rispoli in the irons, fitting well in this field.
#5 VIOLET STORM (9-2) could be a strong contender in this race based on her speed figures, anticipated to make a mid-pack run.
#6 CORPORAL VIOLETTE (8-1) is another candidate based on speed figures and solid early pace. The race appears to lack front running speed.

Selections: 2 – 1 – 5 – 6

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club- 2

Post: 12:59 PM PT; $35k Maiden Claiming going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 6

#2 HALO UNCLE (8-5) emerges as the top pick. He holds tactical speed and a pedigree for success.
#4 THIRSTY THURSDAY (4-1) should be competitive and might pose a threat by securing the lead.
#1 FACT OR FICTION (5-1) appears to be a fringe contender, making sense in this field.
#3 EDDIE’S WAVE (5-2) debuts and is a contender with respect to the Hollendorfer and Maldonado combo.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 1 – 3

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club- 3

Post: 1:29 PM PT; $63k Allowance Optional Claiming going 5 f on turf; Entries: 6

#5 JULIAS DREAM (8-5) is favored. She races for the McCarthy barn with Prat in the irons and shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
#6 APRIL VINTAGE (4-1) looks strong and shouldn’t struggle with the distance.
#2 THERMAL (9-5) is another strong candidate, respected for the combination of Sadler and Rispoli.
#3 BECKY’S DREAM (4-1) seems to be a fringe contender, anticipated to lead and fend off the competition.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 2 – 3

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club- 4

Post: 1:59 PM PT; $61k Maiden Special Weight going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 10

#8 INDISPENSABLE (6-1) gets the top selection and shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
#10 ARIO (6-1) should be competitive in this spot racing for the Miller barn with Hernandez riding.
#7 AMERICAN FLYER (8-1) looks competitive based on previous starts.
#3 COLORADO CRUISER (6-1) makes sense based on speed figures.

Selections: 8 – 10- 7 – 3

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club- 5

Post: 2:29 PM PT; $35k Maiden Claiming going 1 m on turf; Entries: 12

#7 AUTOLINE (6-1) is the top pick based on speed figures and anticipated performance in the stretch.
#9 QUINTECENTS (5-1) appears to be the class of the field, with tactical speed for a stalk and pounce strategy.
#10 SMOOTH SALUTE (5-1) looks to be competitive and could be in the mix late in the race.
#3 ST IGNACIO (3-1) is predicted to have a strong late run if the setup aligns favorably.

Selections: 7 – 9 – 10- 3

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club- 6

Post: 2:59 PM PT; $63k Allowance Optional Claiming going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 9

#2 WISHTHEYALLCOULDBE (5-2) holds the edge in this race with solid early pace figures.
#4 SCARY FAST RIDE (6-1) seems to be a significant contender based on early pace in a field lacking front running speed.
#9 DON’T JU FORGET (4-1) is a strong contender and should time the run well against the leaders.
#7 CLASS CLOWN (7-2) looks competitive in terms of speed figures and early pace.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 9 – 7

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club- 7

Post: 3:29 PM PT; $75k Let It Ride S. going 1 m on turf; Entries: 6

#1 SHARP AZA TACK (12-1) is a price horse and poses a threat to lead early.
#6 DANDY MAN SHINES (8-5) appears to have what it takes to beat this group.
#4 AH JEEZ (4-1) should be competitive and might threaten to lead early.
#2 CALM SEA (4-1) looks competitive based on speed figures.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 4 – 2

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club- 8

Post: 3:59 PM PT; $36k Starter Allowance going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 9

#5 LONESOME STEW (5-2) is the top pick and may benefit from a strong pace up front.
#2 MIDNIGHT FURY (4-1) seems to be a significant contender based on previous starts.
#1 DUTY FIRST (8-1) should be competitive and holds the top overall power rating in the group.
#9 HONDO CROUCH (12-1) is a price horse and could benefit from a strong early pace.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 1 – 9