ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 6, ALLABOUTACTION

FIRST RACE

Last-out $25k claiming winner AVANTI BELLO moves up one level into a race otherwise void of pace. The eight-win veteran looks like the controlling speed in this small field. Come and catch him. MERCER ISLAND has been off three months since he was claimed from a runner-up finish for $25k. He runs well fresh and has a hint of speed, enough to keep the top choice in his sights. Notwithstanding a light workout pattern, MERCER ISLAND should run his race first start back. POINT PIPER finished only a nose behind the top choice last out, while GROUND RULES was claimed from a third in the same race. He will rally late. BEANTOWN BOYS, runner-up four of his last five, has the highest recent figure, a 90 Beyer in May. That makes him a fit.

SECOND RACE

Assuming realistic fractions, route-to-sprint, turf-to-dirt HEARTFULLOFSTARS can reel in the speed as he drops for the first time into the claiming ranks. His best races in winter and spring were on dirt. ROYAL CREED makes his California debut while also dropping for the first time into the claiming ranks. His races last fall vs. maiden special-weight company in the Midwest compare favorably to his rivals in this $40k claiming sprint for 3yos. CANDY CREW probably would win this if he repeats his July 26 smasher. That was a fastpace, run-them-off-their-feet wire job from which he was claimed. Up two levels, the speed of the speed, the one to catch. TREASURE HUNTER has speed, but takes off blinkers. HOSS CARTWRIGHT also has some zip.

THIRD RACE

A solid runner-up finish by QUEBEC, at this N2X class level and over the Del Mar turf course, stamps her the one to beat under the same conditions. Sixth-place finisher The Tulip returned to win a $50k stakes at Santa Rosa; third-place finisher Cheekaboo returned to finish third in a $150k stakes at Del Mar. If there is a flaw to QUEBEC, it is she has lost four times at this condi- tion. Her advantage is minimal over comeback filly HELEN HILLARY. The latter returns from a twomonth freshening after a solid N1X win. She runs well fresh (debut winner, comeback runner-up), and will roll from the back. Having started only eight times, she might have more upside than the 17-start top choice. A LITTLE BIT ME is suspect around two turns, but her third-place comeback in an opening-week sprint was okay. She will keep the pace honest while attempting to stretch to a mile. DOMINATING WOMAN is 2-for-2 in turf routes, but unraced since November.

FOURTH RACE

Trainer Bruce Headley entered two good ones in this Cal-bred N1X sprint. Lightly raced SURFING STAR and THE STREET FIGHTER are tough to separate. Perhaps the edge goes to the 3yo that has started only twice. That is SURFING STAR, highly rated debut winner in February and sharp runnerup his most recent start in March. He appears to have trained well (perhaps in company with his stablemate) and should fire first start following the short respite. THE STREET FIGHTER, a 4yo that finished second or third in all four starts at this condition, will roll from behind. This is his first since December, his last two works (perhaps in company with his stablemate) look solid on paper. KING ABNER finished an okay third in his comeback, on turf. The trouble he encountered in deep stretch probably did not cost him a placing; he missed by only a length in a good local debut. He moves to dirt, which was the surface on which he ran the best race of his career in June. Expect him to show more speed. Lightly raced OLDER BROTHER improved each start, culminating with a maiden win in his third start. He fits with these.

First-time starter TANTARA is badly compromised by post 12 in this turf sprint for maiden fillies and mares. Nonetheless, she gets the call based on her sharp work pattern that suggests she might have enough speed to avoid being caught wide. Progeny of the stallion Point of Entry have won an above-average 16 percent first out; this filly is a sibling to Langham. Though he did not pan out (0 for 4), he was always held in high regard by the same connections as TANTARA. Stab in a puzzler. Her stablemate COLONEL POWER has racing experience. Third in her debut, runner-up next out, she switches to turf for the first time and should be forwardly placed. First-time starters MIDNIGHT IN DIXIE and SHE BE STRIKING appear to have trained well. This race is a real scramble.

SIXTH RACE

A close third last out in a N2X sprint, ALLABOUTACTION returns to the $40k claim level of his decisive victory two starts back. The honest gelding has won 3 of 5 this year, his high-80s/low-90s Beyer Figures are appropriate for this level, he is drawn outside his only apparent pace rival, and he can lead gate to wire as most probable winner on the card. BEST TWO MINUTES scratched from a $25k claiming race Saturday to go instead for a $40k tag from an outside post. This is his return from a layoff of nearly two months, two starts on this track last summer produced two runner-up finishes. ARISTOCRATIC is the aforementioned pace rival for the top choice, back on his preferred surface (dirt). CLEAR THE MINE has the figs, but his best races have been around two turns. Look for him late.

SEVENTH RACE

The fourth-place debut by DESIRED EDGE appeared to be primarily a prep race, and sets her up for a maiden win second time out. She was showing speed in works prior to her debut, but did not produce speed in her race. Instead, she was rated inside, fourth on the rail, took dirt, and merely raced evenly. It was a good education. She shortens to five and a half, and if she uses her speed second time out might take these Cal-bred maiden fillies and mares gate to wire. PAPRIKA, runner-up all three starts early this year including two at this class level on turf, returns from a layoff of more than three months. She proved in her “off-slow” runner-up debut she can run on dirt. COCO KISSES finished second last out at this level after breaking from the rail. She moves to an outside post and should get a pressing trip in the clear.

EIGHTH RACE

A competitive group of turf milers in this Grade 2, consistent SHARP SAMURAI is the one to beat. A two-time graded winner on this course last year, two starts this year suggest he has improved at age 4. Highly rated comeback winner in June, he missed by a neck last time in a G2 at a mile and one eighth. There is plenty of speed in this field, which would be fine for ‘SAMURAI. He is effective rallying from behind. Lightly raced this year, big things are expected this fall. CARIBOU CLUB, who ran well all three starts on this course last year, returns to California following two good efforts at Woodbine including a G2 victory two back that ranks as one of the fastest recent performances by any in this field. In that race, ‘CLUB ran seven furlongs in 1:20.22. BIG SCORE finished well for fourth in his opening-week comeback. Good effort in his first start of the year, he will fly late. HUNT reportedly was compromised by a foot issue when he misfired in the Eddie Read. He is a better horse than that race indicates. CATAPULT upset the top choice last out, and might be ranked too low by this handicapper.

NINTH RACE

TWISTED PLOT adds blinkers for his third start, after an improved runner-up finish last time in a similar maiden race for Cal-bred 2yos. Firsttime starter POLICY, a sibling to debut winner-G2 winner Spectator, was purchased for $250k in spring at a 2yo sale, he capped off his workout pattern with a fast half-mile from the gate one week ago in a bullet 47.20 seconds. THREE AY EM looms an upset candidate. He showed improved speed second time out, but faded after a half. He is waking up, could have the lead, and probably will appreciate a cutback to five and a half. FEELING STRONG will rally late.

TENTH RACE

Lone Star shippers typically find Del Mar too tough, but at least one LS shipper scored early this meet and RAPID RED might be another in a competitive $32k claiming turf mile. His form this year at Fair Grounds and LS is solid, his figures are good for this level, he makes his California debut for the Desormeaux brothers. Off the pace and into the winner’s circle in the final race of the week. OHIO was claimed for $50k in June, and entered back for $28k in August. Considering he finished fifth and last in the race from which he was claimed, the drop makes sense. His best races put him in the hunt. SECRETO PRIMERO might be ranked too low; he scored a decisive win last out at a level less. DANO’S DREAM drops a notch after a useful fifth-place prep at one level higher.