Horse Racing Picks: Weekend Stakes Races: July 25th 2009

Race-day: 7/25/2009 – Click here to bet on horses at BetUS online racebook

Race-times: Coaching Club American Oaks at 5:17 pm est. and Eddie Read at 8:35 pm est.

Del Mar’s first weekend of horse racing will be highlighted by the Grade I Eddie Read on Saturday. That’s one of our Weekend Stakes Races.

The other is a traditional Grade I at Belmont that has been won by some very famous fillies. That race, the Coaching Club American Oaks, goes off first on Saturday.

Let’s take a look at both races on Saturday.

Belmont – Race 9

Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks

For Fillies Three Years Old

1 ¼ miles on dirt

None of the fillies entered in the Coaching Club American Oaks have ever run at the 1 ¼ mile distance. Because of that, I’m going with a filly that I think can improve big time at the distance. That would be High Tap out of the Steve Asmussen barn. The daughter of Tapit has already won a graded race, is 4 out of 6 lifetime and should relish the 1 ¼ miles. She’s the top play in this. Casanova Move goes from James Jerkens to Todd Pletcher and any sort of improvement in this race could put her in the winner’s circle. Her problem is that she likes to finish 3rd a lot. Livin’ Lovin’ needs to break well to have any chance. If she can get an easy lead, she could go a long way in this.

1. High Tap

2. Casanova Move

3. Livin’ Lovin’

Del Mar – Race 8

Grade I Eddie Read

For Three Year Olds and Upward

1 1/8 miles on turf

With both Thorn Song and Monterrey Jazz going for the lead in this, things might set up for a closer. Who is that closer? How about Artiste Royale who finished second to Monterrey Jazz in the Grade II American Handicap in his last. The Neil Drysdale trainee has tons of ability but often times doesn’t get the right pace setup. No such issues on Saturday. Whatsthescript went off the favorite in the American and finished 3rd. He has a chance to do better on Saturday with the expected hot pace. Out of the two front runners, Monterrey Jazz should be in a better position than Thorn Song as he gets the rail in this. I’ll peg him for 3rd.

1. Artiste Royale

2. Whatsthescript

3. Monterrey Jazz