The “Turf meets the Surf at Old Delmar” with the 2014 Breeders Cup Classic winner looking for his first win in 2015. Solid Classic division hopefuls Catch A Flight and Hoppertunity add depth to the field.
San Diego Handicap
Nowalking is a longshot on the morning line, but he doesn’t know he’s 30/1! Picked up his maiden breaker in April with a neck victory at Santa Anita. Late developing pedigree with Cat Thief influence on the female side of the pedigree. Closer running style. Needs to improve by 5 or 6 lengths to hit the top 3.
Appealing Tale picked up a closing 2nd in the last race, letting the speed fade down the stretch and running 2nd to the top sprinter Masochistic. has faced tough competition in recent races, but overall is probably a notch below G2 quality as this field steps up top-heavy. Should be tough on the cut-back in the Pat O’Brien.
Hoppertunity has potential and is a true 10 furlong horse in the “Classic” Division. Problem is the San Diego is 8.5 furlongs and he may be using this as a tightener for the Pacific Classic. Martin Garcia rides him well. Seems to have lost his speed in recent races. Prior to last couple of races had more tactical speed to get involved early. Gold Cup he ran a strong race while running wide into the turn and losing a head bob late. The race flow helped him that day as the pace was fast and that resulted in a pace meltdown. Distance may be short in this race but figures to be tough next out in the Pacific Classic.
Bayern danced all the dances last year and proved tough and durable throughout the 2014 season. His 2015 campaign has been started and stopped on a couple of times with some nagging injuries. Seems to have lost his gate speed and has had some “myserious” gate works off and on in 2015. Last race was top Classic division field of the year and forced/pressed a fast pace. Have a feeling he is sent from the bell this time around and will try to take them as far as he can. July works seem to have perked him up but the new “Delmar” surface is hard to judge at this time.
Majestic City stumbled at the start in most recent race. Back-classer 6-year-old is capable of showing speed and if he uses his speed that could hurt the chances of Bayern in this race. Best chance to win, would be to lay close and try to make move on turn, but overall not sure he is a G2 caliber horse.
Catch a Flight leads the charge for the Argentinian Nation as this Haras Santa Maria De Araras Inc owned runner comes off an impressive 3rd place finish in the Gold Cup. Gold Cup race he chased a fast pace and then made a middle move, fought off the challenges Hoppertunity and ultimately settled for 3rd. A patient ride and cut back in distance should suit his style well.
Sammy Mandeville has the running style to pick up the pieces will be running late and hopes for a pace meltdown to pick up some more dollars.
Sahara Sky is a 7-year-old warrior with a distance pedigree who has been effective sprinting for several years. Has had multiple layoffs in the past few years. Lately has not shown any zip in the morning or in the afternoons. Classy runner did win the G1 Met Mile a couple of years back and has lots of classy running lines. Hard to endorse in this spot.
The Choice:
Bayern and Catch a Flight are most logical in this spot. Bayern has the speed and works seem to have picked up as of late. Catch a Flight moved too soon in last race and may prefer shorter. Going with Catch a Flight to pick up the victory with the versatile running style and possibility of some speed softening up Bayern into faster fractions.