ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 7, BOWIES HERO

FIRST RACE

A pair of 2-year-old fillies sired by Tapit and owned by Don Alberto Stable top this maiden sprint. Bob Baffert trains STELLAR SOUND, who drew the outside post. Her main rival is Jerry Hollendorfer-trained MATERA on the rail. The call is the filly on the outside. The dam of STELLAR SOUND is a sibling to a pair of graded winners (George Vancouver, Saarland); the workouts by ‘SOUND suggest she is “live” first out. The sharp workouts by MATERA suggest she also can run more than a little bit. Her 59.80-second gate drill last weekend was the fastest of the day; she would have been the top selection if the posts reversed. MATERA is a sibling to G1 winner Liam’s Map and G1-placed Not This Time. Both top fillies are must-use firsttimers that could be any type. SHE LOVES KARAOKE could be in tough, although her trainer already won with three races this meet with debut 2yos.

SECOND RACE

CIAO LUNA returns to the claiming ranks after prepping in a Cal-bred N1X. She catches a field that came up short on speed, and figures to either set or press relatively soft fractions. If she can stay six and one-half furlongs, she can upset likely favorite TODOS SANTOS. The latter won an $8k claiming sprint last time over Empress of Lov, who returned to win the first race on Thursday. Claimed for $8k, TODOS SANTOS has the top speed figures in the field, and already is proven at this distance. The likely favorite, she will motor late. BABY ICE meets easier, and figures to be forwardly placed in a race likely to unfold at a modest tempo. Del Mar record 0-for-5, however.

THIRD RACE

Dubious class dropper MEISTERMIND plummets from N1X to $16k claiming, non-winners of two. Not a great pattern, second start back from a short layoff. Fastest horse in the field, tough to trust, but the choice nonetheless due to a lack of viable alternatives. VINTAGE HOLLYWOOD also drops, one level from $25k claiming N2L. He has been banging around the claiming ranks his nine-start career, so in his case the class drop actually makes sense. He is a must-use. COSA NOSTRA, 1-for-28 with eight runner-up finishes, is fast enough on numbers, and proved last time he can handle dirt when runner-up in a similar low-level N2L route.

FOURTH RACE

FLAGSTAFF looks obvious in this N2X sprint, based on his most recent start in which he missed by less than a length while finishing nearly four lengths clear of third. The horse that beat FLAGSTAFF last out is a multiple graded winner. Obvious choice, corresponding short odds likely in this six-horse field. CALIFORNIA STREET has a running style that is opposite the top choice. A deep closer, ‘STREET will roll late and could complete the exacta if the top-choice favorite drags down the other speed. AMERICAN PASTIME ran like he needed a start last out, he dueled with the top choice and tired in the lane. This is his second start back following a one-year layoff; improvement is possible. ADENS DREAM, stablemate of the top choice, has run races that put him in the hunt.

FIFTH RACE

Veteran claiming sprinter MATRICULATE is the horse to beat in this $10k claiming sprint. He is a specialist at this seven-furlong distance: 3-for-4 with a third. Good figs, top connections, versatile speed and simply the “best horse” in the field. Perhaps lone caveat is 0-for-5 record at Del Mar. CONQUEST COBRA is racing at this low level for the first time in his career. Former stakes-placed veteran is fast enough, just not sure what to expect dropping from $32k. Would guess he is well-meant for the productive trainer-jockey combo of Mark Glatt and Joe Talamo. Three summers ago at Del Mar, ‘COBRA won a N2X sprint at seven furlongs with still the top Beyer of his career (103). TED W shortens from a runner-up $16k claiming route. He was claimed, the claim was voided, here is back in for $10k for the same connections. He won more than his share (8 wins) over the years. FOREVER JUANITO returns from a long layoff employing the no-claim waiver. That usually signals optimism.