Del Mar Returns Friday: Analysis, Selections (9/9/22)

With Saratoga in the rearview mirror, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club gets top billing on Friday. The feature is the I’m Smokin’ Stakes run over 6 furlongs on the main track.

Del Mar- Race 1

Post: 3:00 PM PT; $43k Starter Allowance going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 AMERICAREDWHITEBLU (6-5) gets the top selection. He looks to be the class of the field and may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #6 TISQUANTUM (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He has races good enough to beat this group. He is another who would like to see things moving up front.
• #4 DURANTE (5-1) should be competitive in this spot. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one comes into the race in really good form.
• #7 MO THEM DOWN (8-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 4 – 7

Del Mar- Race 2

Post: 3:33 PM PT; $80k Maiden Special Weight going 5 furlongs on turf; Entries: 7

• #7 CUBAN CRISIS (5-2) is the top pick. She has races good enough to beat this group. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #2 DREAM A DREAM (8-1) should improve off the first start and appears to be a major player in this race. She has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #1 REAL FIRE (9-5) has to be respected going out for the combination of Sadler and Prat. This one is well bred for this spot.
• #6 DECADE OF DREAMS (4-1) should be in the mix early. This one looks to be the class of the field.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 1 – 6

Del Mar- Race 3

Post: 4:03 PM PT; $42k Maiden Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 12

• #9 SMOKIN CHEENA (4-1) looks best here. She looks to be the class of the field. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #6 BIG GIFT (7-2) debuts here and could be in with a shot in this race. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Yakteen and Van Dyke.
• #1 SMOKEM FOR YOU (12-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. She seems to fit well enough here. This one has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #7 NIGHT PARTY (4-1) debuts here and has to be respected going out for the combination of Palma and Bravo.

Selections: 9 – 6 – 1 – 7

Del Mar- Race 4

Post: 4:33 PM PT; $44k Claiming going 1 1/8 miles on turf; Entries: 14

• #5 RIJEKA (3-1) gets the top selection. He has the top overall power rating in the group. This one seems to fit well enough here.
• #12 U. S. DANGER (5-1) isn't without hope. He seems to fit well enough here. This one has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #10 TARTINI (7-2) makes sense on speed figures.
• #4 PROUD PEDRO (6-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.

Selections: 5 – 12- 10- 4

Del Mar- Race 5

Post: 5:03 PM PT; $82k Allowance Optional Claiming going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 11

• #6 SHEZA GIRLY GIRL (6-1) is the top pick. She may benefit from a hot pace up front. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #2 BIG BEAUTY (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Sadler and Vazquez.
• #3 BIG TREAT (6-1) has races good enough to beat this group. This one could get the right setup in this race.
• #4 SATURDAY HEIST (12-1) is a price horse and should be competitive in this spot. She has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.

Selections: 6 – 2 – 3 – 4

Del Mar- Race 6

Post: 5:32 PM PT; $80k Maiden Special Weight going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 14

• #2 LA PEER (3-1) should improve off the first start and looks best here. She has to be respected going out for the combination of D'Amato and Prat. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #7 SHIRLEY'S BANE (8-1) debuts here and appears to be a major player in this race. She has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #3 BALENCIAGA BETTY (4-1) should improve off the first start and has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #9 FREE AND HUMBLE (7-2) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. She has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.

Selections: 2 – 7 – 3 – 9

Del Mar- Race 7

Post: 6:01 PM PT; $125k I'm Smokin S. going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #1 KANGAROO COURT (8-5) gets the top selection. He comes into the race in really good form. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #8 GIVER NOT A TAKER (5-2) should improve off the first start and could be in with a shot in this race. He makes sense on speed figures. This one runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #6 STRAIGHTEN UP (5-2) should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #3 HACKING IT UP (10-1) is a price horse and looks to be the class of the field.

Selections: 1 – 8 – 6 – 3

Del Mar- Race 8

Post: 6:30 PM PT; $53k Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 12

• #1 NEPTUNE'S STORM (5-1) is the top pick. He makes sense on speed figures. This one will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #6 OVERDUE (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He makes sense on speed figures.
• #11 MOODY JIM (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. He should be in or around the lead throughout the early stages and could come running late.
• #5 ONE FAST BRO (15-1) is a price horse and has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one comes into the race in really good form.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 11- 5

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