Fity Cent Pick 4 at Del Mar with Marc Doche: The Best Pal

A day after Zenyatta thrilled horse racing fans everywhere, the stars of tomorrow are on display at Del Mar in the Grade 2 $150,000 Best Pal for two-year-olds.

Even with yesterday’s free square, the Pick 4 eluded us with Not Here finishing second in the finale. We’ll plug along and look for that one score to turn the tide.

On a somber note, condolences go out to Tuscan Evening and her connections. The best turf mare in the country passed away due to a suspected heart attack this morning after working four furlongs on the turf course. She will be missed.

We’re off to the races.

Leg 1 – Race 6 (1,4,5,6,7,8,9) – Only one horse in this maiden special weight going five and a half furlongs has run, and many of the first-timers show a nice work tab. We’ll use seven horses and leave out the two that don’t seem to have the foundation in the morning to win at first asking.

Leg 2 – Race 7 (2,4,5,7) – This $40K mile claiming event on the turf  features four runners coming out of a similar event here two weeks ago, and we’ll use three of them.

No. 2 Siete Machos has found success going two turns on grass and can win with a ground saving trip here. He finished fourth, beaten by just a length here on July 24^th.

No. 5 Coloursoftheglen moved a little prematurely in that July 24^th race and Corey Nakatani should have a better feel for him the second time around. He faced much better last year.

No. 7 Sufi Dancer had no chance breaking from the outside post in the aforementioned race after getting bet down to 3-to-1. He had won his previous two races sprinting and can make amends here with the better draw.

No. 4 Keen Bidder went up to Santa Rosa last time to get his first win in the U.S. and that could be a confidence builder coming back down to Southern California where he had been knocking on the door for a win.

Leg 3 - Race 8 (6) – After a pair of scratches we’re left with a field of five in the Best Pal going six and a half furlongs on the main track.

No. 6 Sway Away was super impressive breaking his maiden at Pleasanton for trainer Jeff Bonde and will be on or close to the pace along with No. 2 Comma to the Top. He’ll get first run on No. 1 J P’s Gusto and No. 5 Western Mood and should hold them off in the lane.

Leg 4 – Race 9 (2,9,10,11) – Lots of speed signed on here and that has not been the place to be going two turns, so we’ll use the four horses that should be coming off the pace.

Recap – (1,4,5,6,7,8,9) w (2,4,5,7) w (6) w (2,9,10,11) – Total cost of ticket = $56

Make sure to follow me on Twitter @mdoche for last minute changes caused by scratches.

Good luck!

Yesterday’s Result – (-$48)

Total for meet – (-$469.15)