Horak: How I'm betting Del Mar's Eddie Read Stakes
Bowies Hero is back to defend his title in the Grade 2, $200,000 Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar on Sunday. There is not much pace in this turf event at a mile and an eighth, and Neptune’s Storm might get brave if able to shake loose early. Six of the seven entrants are graded stakes winners, and trips will be the key to success. Before deciding how to bet Sunday’s eighth race, let’s meet the cast.
Looking at the recent historical trends, trainer Phil D’Amato has owned this race. He won in 2016 with Midnight Storm and in 2017 with Hunt. Last year, he saddled Bowies Hero, and that one is back for a repeat try, along with stablemate Cleopatra’s Strike. Sharp turf pilot Flavien Prat guided home the winners of this race in two of the last three years, and he rides morning line favorite United.
Favorite:
#7 United (8-5) exits back-to-back G2 victories at a mile and a quarter. The versatile gelding was right there in both local turf starts last year, and Flavien Prat will probably put him in a contending spot throughout. He seems to prefer longer distances.
Value Win Contenders:
#2 Originaire (9-2) got plenty of pace help in a strong late running victory at this distance vs. optional claimers on Feb. 29. He crossed the line in third and was placed second through disqualification in the Whittingham (G2) at a mile and a quarter last time, and that race did not set up for him. There is not much pace in this race either, and he projects an inner stalking trip in a race that should be slow early and fast late. He is the only entrant without a graded victory, but he did land the place in his last two grade two attempts.
#6 Neptune’s Storm (6-1) exits a game head victory in the San Francisco Mile (G3) at Golden Gate. I like his early-pressing versatility and he enjoys this distance, and he might be the one to catch. He ran well without winning in all three local graded turf routes in 2019.
Live longshots:
#5 Cleopatra’s Strike (8-1) probably needed his last start in the American Stakes. That flat mile event was too sharp for him. He landed the place in all four starts at this distance, and Abel Cedillo rides him well. A stalking trip is expected, and he might be able to spice up the exotics.
Remaining entrants:
#1 Bowies Hero (4-1) rallied to finish a clear second in his flat mile return in the American (G3) June 21. The three-time local winner captured this race last summer, but he has done the bulk of his damage at a flat mile. A minor award might be his limit.
#3 Sharp Samurai (5-1) finished in a dead heat for third in the American Stakes on June 21, and that was his first start in more than 10 months. He likes this course and distance and should be in the hunt from the outset. He finished an even fourth in this event last year, and he does not appear to be as good as he once was.
#4 Combatant (12-1) upset the Big 'Cap on March 7 and never got involved in the Oaklawn Handicap last time. He is 0-for-8 on turf.
Wagers:
#2 to win
Quinella 2-6
Exacta 2/5-6-7
Trifecta 2-6/2-6-7/2-5-6-7
Superfecta 2-7/2-7/1-5-6/1-5-6