FOURTH RACE

Odds-on GAMINE seeks her second straight Filly and Mare Sprint win. She is the speed of the field, eight-for-eight at one turn, enters with the top figures and a resume that includes graded wins at six different tracks. First-time Del Mar no problem. But the front-running New York shipper to her outside could be an issue. If those two duel, the race could set up for CE CE. A top-class route filly last year, CE CE developed this season into a top-class sprinter with a closing style opposite the favorites. She can complete the exacta, if not spring an outright upset rallying from off the pace. New York-based second choice BELLA SOFIA, the aforementioned NY speedster, gets faster each start, triple-digit Beyers two recent wins. This is her first start outside her home state, she is fast enough to pester the favorite, 3yos won this race the last three years. EDGEWAY never runs a bad one, and adds a hint of speed.

FIFTH RACE

Cal-bred gelding LIEUTENANT DAN enters the Turf Sprint with valid credentials. He has tactical speed, a versatile style that allows him to rally from slightly off the pace, and affinity for the five-furlong DMR course. He won twice here in summer including a G3. In a race where racing luck is likely to play a role, ‘DAN can create his own good fortune with a forwardly placed trip and finishing ability. Comeback filly KIMARI is among the fastest on figures. She is training well for her first start in seven months, and will rally late trying to become the fourth Turf Sprint filly-mare winner (Mizdirection twice, Belvoir Bay and Glass Slippers the last two years). A CASE OF YOU is an improving 3yo from Europe in peak form following a G1 upset in the same prestigious France race that produced last year’s Turf Sprint winner. GOLDEN PAL, stablemate of the top choice, has speed and can finish.

SIXTH RACE

It might be folly to go against the favorite in the Dirt Mile, but GINOBILI is no slouch. The DMR horse-for-course might pull off the upset over LIFE IS GOOD. It will not be easy; the favorite is legit. GINOBILI added blinkers in summer and scored a pair of high-figure wins including a crushing N1X route and equally impressive G2 sprint. He has been working super, and worth backing in the 7-2 range. However, LIFE IS GOOD is genuine. He won his debut on this track one year ago by more than nine lengths, he returned to form this summer in New York for his new trainer, and returns to California in peak form. Five starts produced three graded stakes wins and a runner-up to BC Sprint favorite Jackie’s Warrior in a G1. Come catch him. If the top pair get in each other’s way, SILVER STATE would be in a great spot. Met Mile winner, also repeatedly proven at two turns, ‘STATE will rally late. EIGHT RINGS has an up-front running style, is G1-placed in a sprint on this track, and enters off a confidence-building allowance win.

SEVENTH RACE

Like every other U.S. entrant in a Breeders’ Cup grass race, the Filly and Mare Turf is a class test for WAR LIKE GODDESS. She has much in her favor. She won 6 of 7 including a G1 last out, she is repeatedly proven at this 11-furlong distance, and her style matches the historically closersfriendly DMR profile for this distance. She can mow them down. However, four of the last five FMTs were won by 3yo Euro-shippers, which is one reason ROUGIR merits respect. This distance is uncharted territory, but she won a 14-runner G1 last out at a mile and one quarter (on “heavy”) and fits on class. LOVES ONLY YOU finished only a half-length behind top-class Mishriff in March, and won a G1 in Hong Kong in spring. Lightly campaigned this year, she makes her first start since August and handles the marathon trip. ACANELLA is an intriguing longshot from Ireland. She did not have a particularly good trip last time in a G1, and missed by only four lengths. AUDARYA won this race a year ago at 9.5 furlongs.

EIGHTH RACE

Barring the unforeseen, JACKIE’S WARRIOR is likely to become the lowest-odds winner in the 38-year-history of the Sprint. The field’s only true front-runner, he has the highest figures that include a dazzling 110 Beyer last out. He should be long gone at a price lower than 1984 inaugural Sprint winner Ellio ($4.60). SPECIAL RESERVE, claimed for $40k in February, developed into a graded stakes-winning sprinter who earned triple-digit figures his last four starts. He has speed to be positioned second behind the favorite, and could get first run if that one misfires. DR. SCHIVEL won five straight including two G1s at DMR; last out he cracked triple digits with a 103 Beyer. Though his right rein broke in that race, he did benefit from a golden rail to win well. He is 3-for-3 at DMR (Bing Crosby in summer, Del Mar Futurity year ago). The 3yo hits autumn in peak form, with a versatile style adaptable to any scenario. If the pace should fall apart, improving late-runner ALOHA WEST has a look.

NINTH RACE

European invader SPACE BLUES won a seven-furlong G1 last time as if he will handle the Mile distance. He has won 10 of 18, and if he gets two turns should win as the favorite. If not, this race is a scramble. IN LOVE is on a roll, seeking his fourth straight on the heels of a decisive G1 at Keeneland. SMOOTH LIKE STRAIT could get a great trip positioned second behind the speedster in post 10. MASTER OF THE SEAS has run races overseas that fit with these. HIT THE ROAD had a brutal trip last out finishing third in a G1 in California. BLOWOUT is the aforementioned post-10 speedster. MO FORZA might be ranked too low by this handicapper. He will fly late, as an obvious contender in a deep field.

TENTH RACE

Front-running favorite LETRUSKA will take some catching in the Distaff. If she runs as well at Del Mar as the seven other tracks she won on since removing blinkers last year, she will be tough to catch. LETRUSKA is 7-for-8 with four Grade 1 wins since the equipment change; her controllable speed allows her to dictate the pace although the front-runner on the rail complicates matters. If the favorite misfires or a duel unfolds, CLAIRIERE could upset. Each start has been better than the start before, she trained super since a career-best win last out in a G1 at Parx. Of course, CLAIRIERE finished behind MALATHAAT three times. The latter is the country’s top 3yo filly, a three-time G1 winner. Her only loss was in a four-horse race in which she had a strange trip setting the pace. Freshened since August, training super, she will roll late. SHEDARESTHEDEVIL, the only horse this year to defeat LETRUSKA, should get a cozy trip positioned right behind the pace. PRIVATE MISSION is the aforementioned front-runner breaking from the rail. She probably has to “go.”

ELEVENTH RACE

DOMESTIC SPENDING is still the top U.S. turf distance horse despite a loss last out at odds-on. He can win the Turf. He previously won three G1s including at DMR, and gives every indication he will handle the mile and one-half trip. TARNAWA is world-class, a filly who won this race last year and returns to the U.S. off a runner-up finish in the Arc. No knocks on the favorite, other than low odds. GUFO moved too soon last time, lost his punch, and finished third. Although the top choice seems to have his number, this is the first time they will meet at the mile and one-half distance GUFO prefers. JAPAN misfired last out; he probably could have defeated GUFO two back in a G1 except for trouble.