Saturday's Best Bet: Bodhicitta a solid late threat in Yellow Ribbon
Saturday's 9th race from Del Mar is the Grade 2, $150,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap for fillies and mares traveling a mile and a sixteenth on the turf course (Post Time 9:10 p.m. ET).
Click here for Del Mar Entries, Results
#2 BODHICITTA (6-1) continues to improve for Richard Baltas. Her numbers jumped up in her three starts this year, and the thing that really catches the eye is her improving late pace ratings. Flavien Prat strings along, she fired a local turf bullet for this July 7, and the inner draw should allow her to save some ground before launching her stretch rally.
#7 Beau Recall (3-1) has been a decent late running turf router for a few years. She has struck three times overall at this distance including a nose victory in this race last summer. She was sharper last year but does exit an okay 2nd in the Just a Game (G1), and she might show more in her third start after a layoff.
#1 Summering (12-1) is 2-for-2 at Del Mar, and Drayden Van Dyke was aboard for both of those victories in 2018. The early-pressing filly should make her presence felt throughout from the hedge in a race without a ton of pace.
#3 Tonahutu (15-1) showed improved tactical speed and earned a good number in a runner-up finish in a salty local optional claiming turf route July 10. That was her first start after the Doug O’Neill claim, and she might not be completely out of this.
#6 Keeper Ofthe Stars (7-2) has bounced back from disappointing efforts before. The versatile filly is 2-for-2 at this distance but 0-for-3 at Del Mar. I am really not sure what we are going to get from her, but she fits with these on her best day.
#4 Lady Prancealot (5-1) packs a decent late kick in turf routes. She hit the board in both local turf tries and is 1-for-1 at this distance.
#5 Harmless (15-1) has speed, and that up front running style might help her in this spot. She held on by a nose in a local optional claiming turf route last fall, and exits a respectable show finish in the Ellis Park Turf.
Wagers:
#2 to win
Quinella 2/1-3-7
Trifecta 7/ALL/2
Recent Best Bet Winners
July 24 - JO JO AIR ($9.20)
July 27 - HOOTIE ($7.80)
July 28 - GUILLAUME ($6.40), Exacta ($24.00)
July 31 - She's My Type/Miss J McKay Exacta ($41.80)
Aug 3 - Peaceful Feeling/Be Nimble Exacta ($43.40), Trifecta ($59.65)
Aug 6 - Thissmytime/Bimini/Time to Two Step Trifecta ($25.85)
Aug 7 - Jackie's Warrior/Therideofalifetime Exacta ($28.80)