Saturday's Best Bet: Giant Expectations for the Pat O'Brien upset

Saturday’s ninth race from Del Mar is the Grade 2 Pat O'Brien Stakes for 3-year-olds and up dashing seven furlongs on the main track (Post Time 9:13 p.m. ET).  

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#4 Giant Expectations (7-2) added blinkers and missed by a nose in the Commentator vs. NY-breds May 27. Drayden Van Dyke rides, he shows two local bullets for this, and he has won at this course and distance before. He owns competitive numbers and should get pace to chase.

#7 Catalina Cruiser (4-5) drew well and owns early-pressing versatility. He beat just three rivals in the San Diego (G2) July 20, and the 2-3 finishers returned to occupy those same two positions in the Pacific Classic (G1). He turns back and is 3-for-3 at Del Mar, and he fired a local 6f bullet for this Aug. 17. 

#3 Jalen Journey (5-1) exits an okay 3rd in the Bing Crosby (G1). The early-pressing type won both of his long sprints at GP earlier this year (7f, 8f), and he might move forward in his second local start for Miller.

#6 American Anthem (4-1) got back on the beam in a local optional claiming affair July 20. The 2-time local winner is 4-for-6 at seven panels, and Bob Baffert’s 5-year-old horse is a multiple graded stakes winner. 

Wagers:

#4 to win

Exacta 4/3-6-7

Exacta 3-4-6/7

Aug 7 - Mr. Buff/Dynamax Prime Exacta ($8.30)

Aug 14 - EQUAL MEASURE ($9.40)

Aug 16 - SIBERIAN IRIS ($16.20)

Aug 17 - Dunbar Road/Point of Honor Exacta ($7.90)

Aug 18 - PRINCE EARL ($21.60), Trifecta ($272.10)

Aug 19 - Hotshot Anna/Spring in the Wind Exacta ($12.40)

Aug 23 - City Man/Cleon Jones Exacta ($17.10)