July 2008 Archives

I'm still on the fence regarding synthetic surfaces, but Del Mar management deserves credit for fixing the inconsistencies that plagued its Polytrack surface last summer in its debut season.

The owners of Lava Man, the 7-year-old gelding who stands third behind Tiznow and Best Pal as the top Cal-bred money-winners of all time, are expected to announce plans for the son of Slew City Slew any day now. I think they are going to retire the horse, which would be the right path.

If you're sitting around the house today with nothing to do and have a TVG account, may I suggest the following horses to perhaps consider a small investment:

Through the first 4 1/2 days of Del Mar's 43-day meet, Polytrack is playing much faster than its inaugural season, when times could have been gauged with an hour glass. Saturday's San Diego Handicap, when Well Armed went gate to wire in a lightning-quick 1:41.57 for the 1 1/16 miles, was run in a professional race time. Last year's San Diego Handicap winner? Sun Boat, who went the distance in a slow 1:45.39.

Whenever there is a $1.2 million pick-six carryover that figures to lead to a total pool of $4.5 million, the urge to jump in and take a shot at that life-changing score is immense. One of the keys to success, however, as well as keeping the cost of your ticket down, is to find two or three singles so you can go deep in the tougher races.