ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 7, CLASSY TUNE

FIRST RACE

RAMONA LOVER drops from special-weight to maiden-20, has speed to make the lead, and can be long gone. FLOWER HEART DEER also drops. Although her ability on the main track is uncertain, she has been facing better on turf. BONA FIDE IMAGE misfired in her comeback, but her spring form at Santa Anita puts her in the hunt. This is a curiously weak race to begin the 10-race Sunday card, as was the maiden-20 that kicked off the 11-race Pacific Classic card on Saturday.

SECOND RACE

ARISTOCRATIC drops from a fast-pace N2X sprint vs. older, into a $40k claiming sprint for 3-yearolds. The speed of the field, he is the choice to wire the field. Wagering value is minimal in this small field, however. ONE I’M RUNNING TO returns to preferred footing after finishing next-to-last on turf. He was claimed two back from a runaway win vs. similar 3yo claiming sprinters. HE’S MUNNIE is in from Canterbury Downs for his California debut. He will be outrun early, and will roll late in a race that could set up for his style. REGAL BORN was given a spin around the track last month; expect improvement second start at the meet. BURN ME TWICE scored a sharp comeback win, but wheels back just 17 days later. It is uncertain if he can run two alike returning on short notice.

THIRD RACE

READY AIM dips into the maiden-claiming ranks for the first time, after finding special-weight company a little too tough. His third-place finish two starts back in his only “fast” track sprint would probably be good enough for this maiden40. SPEND IT also drops, shortens to a sprint and returns to dirt. His style is dissimilar to the top choice, which is good. SPEND IT will roll from off the pace; his third-place finish two starts back would put him in the hunt. CHARMING MORTY was gelded following his third-place on opening weekend. He probably benefits from the cutback to one turn. TOMMY GROSSMAN and ADVENTEROUS add speed.

FOURTH RACE

PANTSONFIRE had a rocky trip in her U.S. debut, runner-up in a maiden-62.5k claiming turf route after steadying in traffic on the far turn. She flew late, and missed by only a length in a race won by the pacesetter. PANTSONFIRE moves up in class to special-weight; most turf routes this summer have been won with her off-the-pace running style. LITERARY CRITIC prepped in a special-weight dirt sprint won by Classy Tune, the likely favorite in race 7. LITERARY CRITIC is by City Zip, so the switch to turf could prove beneficial. Her dam is an unraced sibling to Breeders’ Cup winners Life Is Sweet and Sweet Catomine. SCANDAL adds blinkers after a disinterested fourth-place finish last out. She previously finished second in six straight. CAUSEFORCOMMMOTION runs the same race every time, good enough to hit the board her last three.

FIFTH RACE

Second start back following a solid third-place finish in a fast-pace California-bred stakes, DREAMY GAL drops to state-bred N1X and looks like the speed of the field. Her comeback was her first start in 11 months; she benefits from the distance cutback, from seven furlongs to six and a half. Win or lose, she is the one to catch. CANDY RULER came back running in her return from a two-month break, missing by only a neck in a similar Cal-bred N1X sprint. This is her second start back, she has speed to keep the top choice in her sights and probably would get first run if the leader falters. JENNA’S FAITH makes her third start back from a layoff, with a running style that is dissimilar to the top pair. That is good. If the pace collapses, JENNA’S FAITH could be along from the back of the field to spring an upset.

SIXTH RACE

BILLY BIG slides into the claiming ranks for the first time, after finding 3yo allowance company too tough three starts on the comeback trail. Assuming a legitimate pace to flatter his closing rally, the gelding can win from the back of the pack over a course that has been kind to his running style. He is trained by Phil D’Amato, who also entered frontrunner/presser KENZOU’S RHYTHM. The latter did something last month only a handful of horses have done at this meet. That is, win a turf route with a front-running trip. Up one notch in class, a four-time winner from his last six starts, he will be in front of his stablemate turning for home. And he certainly does have the “want to.” KNIGHT’S DREAM looms the crazy knockout. Overmatched in a N1X in his local debut, he has a history of improving second start back. His maiden win in sprint was second start back from a layoff. Bomber at 20-1? MY MAN CHUCKLES drops from the Oceanside Stakes, entered for the $50k claim tag, and will keep the pace honest.

SEVENTH RACE

The only knock on sharp maiden winner CLASSY TUNE is that the filly she defeated returned to finish off the board. That was no fault of CLASSY TUNE, a lightly raced (three starts) filly whose pace and speed figures equal or exceed par for this N1X level. She worked three times since her fast maiden win, and is the most probable winner on the card for a trainer whose favorites are reliable. The past six months, Simon Callaghan is 13-for19 with favorites. Expect CLASSY TUNE to follow suit. PLANE LUCKY makes her comeback following a four-month layoff. She has a series of sharp workouts and a history of firing fresh. Her best race puts her in the hunt with the top pick. VAI won her debut here last summer, then regressed in two subsequent efforts (winning one of those), before going to the sidelines. Based on her workout pattern, it looks like a “go” first start back. LITTLE JUDE is eligible to improve second start back; GO ON MARY adds blinkers second start back.

EIGHTH RACE

A good group of turf milers entered the G2 Del Mar Mile; trainer Phil D’Amato has the aces in frontrunner MIDNIGHT STORM and off-the-pace runner VYJACK. Despite the closers-friendly profile of the Del Mar turf course this summer, MIDNIGHT STORM gets the call first start in three months. The 6yo runs well fresh, is 5-for-6 over this course, the controlling speed and the choice to wire the field. If he misfires, VYJACK could be along in time while making his second start following a layoff. His runner-up comeback was solid; he should move forward second start back. BAL A BALI faces a better field than the fields he defeated winning a pair of G1s early this year at Santa Anita. A deep closer, he will fly late. OM ran a winning race in his comeback, runner-up while getting a mile in 1:32-and-change. Steady works since, second start back, likely to move up. BLACKJACKCAT gets tested for class, again. He defeated VYJACK last out. LEW KEN is a G1 winner from South America making his U.S. debut in a tough spot.

NINTH RACE

ST PATRICK’S DAY and ZATTER worked in company from the gate Aug. 13, six furlongs in 1:12, and they were virtually inseparable based on visual impression (workout video XBTV.com). ‘DAY is a full brother to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. ZATTER is a Midnight Lute colt whose workout tab is a little lighter than his stablemate, but he worked on equal terms in the team drill. Tough to separate the Bob Baffert trainees, while JUNGLE WARFARE has something the top pair lack. That is, racing experience. ‘WARFARE followed his betterthan-looked third-place debut with a solid runnerup finish behind Del Mar Futurity-bound Tatters to Riches. ‘WARFARE finished nearly 10 lengths clear of third, earned an improved figure (75 Beyer) and obviously is headed the right direction.

TENTH RACE

BOMBILATE ran well in her U.S. debut, and gets the call based on likely improvement following that fourth-place effort. The pace was slow, BOMBILATE had to wait briefly behind runners into the lane, and then leveled off and finished with a nice burst in deep stretch. Good comeback, sure to move forward with a prep race under her belt. ARETHUSA made the Daily Racing Form “horses to watch” list following her most-recent start. She broke slowly, unleashed a premature four-wide move on the far turn, hit the front and then tired to second. Claimed by Jeff Mullins, back into a first-level allowance, figures as a contender with a better trip. OK DOLL, beaten favorite two straight at this N1X level, has more tactical speed than the top pair and will get first run again. Kentucky shipper BROOKS HOUSE makes her local debut for Midwest-based trainer Victoria Oliver, who is 6-for-23 at Del Mar the past summers while producing a massive flat-bet profit (ROI more than $4.60). 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Del Mar, CA 92014 (858) 755-1141 Main track: One Mile, oval. Turf course: Seven eighths mile. Distance from last turn to finish line: 919 feet.

TAKEOUT INFORMATION ■ WPS - 15.43% ■ Double - 20% ■ Exacta, Quinella - 22.68% ■ Trifecta, Superfecta, Super Hi 5, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 6 - 23.68% ■ Pick 5 - 14%

NOTE: A horse which wins a non-winners of $3,000 other than maiden or claiming, or two races, for Calbreds, shall remain eligible for that comparable open allowance race, provided that horse did not win a race other than claiming following that Cal-Bred win. Once a horse has won the two first condition allowance races (Cal-Bred and open), then the Cal Bred win will be disregarded in future allowance races for eligibility purposes only.