ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 2, CORPS DE BALLET

FIRST RACE

The 2yo filly PASADENA PRINCESS can come out firing in this maiden-80 sprint. She was working in company with G1-bound stablemate Gas Station Sushi prior to a scheduled debut Aug. 4, but scratched. ‘PRINCESS returned to post three sharp works since then that suggest she is ready. Though trainer Richard Baltas is not known for firing with first-timers, that might be starting to change. His nine debut 2yos this year produced six in-the-money finishes, one win. CUTE KNOWS CUTE finished second last time out in a similar high-level maiden-claiming race. It was a forward move from her debut; she probably benefits from this longer distance, five and one-half furlongs. SNAKED makes her debut with a solid work pattern for a trainer that wins with this type. Steve Miyadi is 2-for-4 this meet with 2yo firsters. TRUST FUND KITTY, scratched July 28 from a maiden-32, makes her California debut.

SECOND RACE

Only five runners in this N3X/classified allowance, but it is a good field that includes the day’s “most probable winner.” CORPS DE BALLET is vastly improved this summer, dropping in class from a solid runner-up finish against a good field in a minor stakes. ‘BALLET finished a length and a half clear; she could get a good trip positioned second in a race that is short on pace. A repeat of her most recent would be fast enough for this. DREAMARCHER makes her third start this month, dropping from a stakes race and shortening from a marathon to a mile. Her two previous starts were good, fourth in a similar race two back and allowance winner three starts back at Golden Gate. DO THE DANCE is a candidate to set the pace in a race void of speed. The last time she was loose on the lead, in November, she scored a 13-1 upset on this course. PRIZE EXHIBIT has faced better; SHEHASTHERITESTUFF was probably too close to the pace last time. She prefers to lag at the back, and make a run.

THIRD RACE

Second-time starter WICKED OLD FASHION is the logical choice in this maiden-20, following an okay runner-up debut. Her lack of speed is a challenge, but if she reproduces her start 18 days ago, she should win from off the pace. Maiden-20 sprints tend to be predictable. TEAM ASTROLOGY pressed a fast pace and tired to third in her debut. She can improve second out, and she will be positioned in front of the top choice. ARGUMENTATIVE goes first off the claim by John Sadler, whose record with f.o.c. maidens makes the filly a “must use.” The past year, Sadler is 4-for-5 with maidens first off the claim; the past five years 11-for-36. SUNDARITA is likely to improve second time out.

FOURTH RACE

Based on her highly rated maiden win early this month, ANCHOR BABY gets the call to win right back. She will have to do it the hard way, drawn inside several other front-runners. But her maiden win was fast; she pressed a strong pace and came away. After being risked for a claim tag last out, it signals optimism she returns in a starter allowance from which she cannot be claimed. The fast, lightly raced filly is the tepid choice to win with a front-running trip. LADY NINJA, a multi-surface specialist that can sprint or route, shortens to one turn following a creditable runner-up turf route. She is drawn near the outside, has a versatile running style, and fits perfectly off her maiden win two back. SECRET SHOPPER exits a highly rated $32k claiming sprint for 3yo fillies in which she finished second while running the best race of her career. The filly that beat her, Munny Spunt, returned with a creditable fourth in a G2, followed by a G3 upset (via disqualification) on Sunday. The point is, SECRET SHOPPER is facing easier in this.

FIFTH RACE

First-time starter CANDY BARK debuts with a series of fast workouts for leading trainer Phil D’Amato. Her works suggest speed; her dam was a fast sprinter. This five-furlong turf sprint is murky;

the first-time starter has the edge for a trainer that can fire with this type. Also-eligible MARLEY’S

FREEDOM is a late threat, first start since last fall with a solid workout pattern for her return. Tough outside post if she draws in, but not impossible. Snow Cloud won the first turf sprint of the meet July 20 from post 8 of 8; Sturdy One won a turf sprint July 30 from post 9 of 9. ‘FREEDOM will roll late. First-time starter KENTAN ROAD is a sibling to winner Hout Bay and dq’ed winner Clifton Beach. SANTOKU is a sibling to winners, with solid works. SHOW IT N MOE IT was a gift at 5-1 when she won the CTBA Stakes; her odds will be considerably lower when she starts favored in this, the Generous Portion. She won clear last out, and has a versatile style that should lead to another good trip just off the pace. Northern California shipper LITTLE DOE followed her maiden win with a front-running stakes score 17 ago at Santa Rosa. She beat a good rival; runner-up Song from Above previously won a stakes race. LITTLE DOE was scheduled to arrive at Del Mar on Sunday; she is fast and from the inside post has only one way to go. That is, straight to the front. Come and catch her. SPICED PERFECTION has improved each subsequent start. She won opening day, skipped the CTBA Stakes, and enters relatively “fresh” with an outside post and a versatile running style. She can rally from behind. HOLD THAT SMILE dusted maiden-50s with a decent figure; she adds speed.

SEVENTH RACE

Based on her fast maiden win last out, WEST COAST BIAS is the call to score right back in this N1X turf mile. ‘BIAS pressed a fast pace, and came away to win by more than four lengths. She meets winners for the first time, but this field came up relatively light on pace. She could make the lead and could be long gone. The challenge is a course profile that has more kind to closers, than speed. Only five grass races this meet at one mile were won by the pacesetter. SALSITA is a 9-for-36 pro that scored a decisive $32k claiming win last out, rallying from midpack. Her seven starts on the Del Mar course produced four wins. CORDIALITY, first or second in 9 of 14, finished an okay second last out in a similar N1X turf mile. She is likely to be positioned second behind the speed, and would get first run if the top choice misfires. PEACH COVE drops from stakes and N2X, to race for the optional $40k claim tag.

EIGHTH RACE

The 2yo MASCO YODELER stretches out for the first time, with a running style that suggests two turns will be ideal. He is not quick enough to sprint, yet actually ran well to split the field all four starts around one turn. He drops in for a tag, stretches out and meets of a modest field of maiden-50s. FLIP THE COIN JAN chased two of the circuit’s most highly regarded 2yos early this summer, Bolt d’Oro early this month and Zulfikhar last month. Into a maiden-claiming route, first time long, FLIP THE COIN JAN might be the one they have to catch. ON THE RIGHT finished an okay second last out under similar conditions (maiden-50 route); he will be running late. IMA TAKE CHARGE might be better than his most recent start suggests.