Super Screener: Betting race of the summer on tap at Del Mar
Saturday’s $250,000 Del Mar Derby (G2) could be the betting race of the summer with 14 horses signed up and precious few throwouts.
Hudson Ridge, a rare turf horse for trainer Bob Baffert, is the lukewarm 9-2 favorite on the morning line. He will break from the inside stall under Del Mar’s leading rider, Flavien Prat.
Hudson Ridge won two-straight towards the end of the Santa Anita meet, including the Cinema Stakes in May. In last month’s La Jolla (G3), Hudson Ridge pressed the pace and surged late to be beaten just a neck when a troubled third behind Sword Zorro and Zoffarelli, who are both back in this spot. However, Sword Zorro was disqualified for interference in deep stretch and placed third.
Super Screener, the data-driven and time-tested handicapping method developed by Mike Shutty, has tabbed Hudson Ridge as the most likely horse to hit the board in this ultra-competitive heat.
Super Screener projects Hudson Ridge to get an ideal ground-saving trip with his inside draw, while also noting the American Pharoah colt is 2-for-2 at the distance and should move forward with the added real estate from the La Jolla.
“Can’t find any faults and at 9-2 Morning Line odds he offers value,” Shutty writes of Hudson Ridge in this week’s Super Screener.
This is by no means a one-horse race, however, as options abound. Super Screener has locked in to an 8-1 shot as the “Top Value” and has identified a pair of longshots that figure to make an impact at odds of 15-1 and 20-1, respectively.
The Del Mar Derby is one of five stakes races on Saturday to get the Super Screener treatment. Also included are the Flower Bowl (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) from Saratoga, and the I’m Smokin Stakes and John C. Mabee (G2) for fillies and mare on turf. As a bonus, Super Screener has suggested late Pick 3 plays for Saturday’s Del Mar card and a look at Monday’s rich Mint Million (G2) from Kentucky Downs.
To dive into this week’s Super Screener, click here.
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