ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 4, GET OFF MY BACK

FIRST RACE

SOUL SOUND drops into her first state-bred maiden-claiming event, with speed and an inside post to be forwardly placed saving ground. That has been the winning profile in main-track sprints this meet. She also may benefit by the cutback from six furlongs to five and a half. The habitual slow starter CHRISTY JACKSON returns to the surface (dirt) on which she finished second all three tries. Her main-track figures top the field. The knock is she is not quick from the gate. I’M SASSY dueled on a fast pace and caved in her comeback. Based on her most recent start, she might be the speed of the field. PRIVY will add speed, while ANCHOR BABY might be ranked too low by this handicapper. She should improve off her midpack debut.

SECOND RACE

Class-drop veteran win machine SO ELITE (12 for 54) drops to the $8k bottom class level (unrestricted) following a pair of thirds in Northern California. The race he exits has turned out productive. The horse SO ELITE finished a length behind, runner-up My Friend George) returned to win for a $20k tag with an 82 Beyer. The challenge for SO ELITE, a closer, is track profile. Most main-track routes this meet (through Wednesday) have been won by front-runners or pace-pressers. TISDALE is a new shooter from Ohio, where he wired similar last out (purse $16,500; purse this $20k). He gets a weight break with talented five-pound apprentice Evin Roman, and is likely to be positioned in front of the top choice early. ROMAN TIZZY stretches out following a prep-race sprint; the one-two finishers returned to win. This is a funky race from a pace perspective; there really is not much true speed. BROADWAY NIKA goes long again and is a pacesetter candidate.

THIRD RACE

UNUSUAL MEETING and WOOD MACHINE are tough to separate in this turf route, $16k claiming starter allowance. The 7yo UNUSUAL MEETING, though based in California his entire 57-start career, will be making his first start at Del Mar. His closing style has played well on this turf course, he won four of his last six in Northern California while earning figures plenty fast enough for this bunch. WOOD MACHINE was in tough opening weekend, unplaced in a $50k claiming race. But either of his two previous starts ($32k win, $25k third) would be good enough for this. Since returning to turf, he has won four of his last seven. He will roll late. I’M ALREADY THERE won back-to-back claiming races in sprint at Santa Anita, this is his first start since. CHIRS AND DAVE is the best speed. He handles either surface, and probably is the one to catch.

FOURTH RACE

GET OFF MY BACK ran very well in the first race of the summer meet, but one mile was slightly out of reach. He finished second, while more than seven lengths clear of third. Now he shortens back to one turn, is quick enough to establish position inside, returns at the same class level ($16k claiming, N2L) and enters as the most probable winner on the card. HAVE SOME PRIDE cruised to a solid maiden-20 win last time in just the second start of his career. Last-out maiden-claiming winners are usually contenders when realistically placed at the N2L claiming level. TRUE RANGER will pick up the pieces, as usual. He finished in the money six straight. RED CARPET has speed, and benefits from the cutback in distance to five and a half.

FIFTH RACE

The pick six begins with a competitive N1X fillymare turf mile. MAI TAI returns from a spring layoff with a history of firing fresh, proven form at this level, consistent figures, and jockey Kent

Desormeaux, whose 26 percent win rate this meet on turf (through Wednesday) tops the colony. MAI TAI can mow them down late. PEACH COVE already has won at this class level, in January at Santa Anita. She returns to the level for her first start in three months, entered for the optional $40k claim tag. She ran super on this course last fall, runner-up by a head under similar conditions.

G Q COVERGIRL is a front-running sprinter that will take them as far as she can. Her trainer does well with these stretch-outs. She might be hounded by front-runner DOUBLE ESPRESSO, however. CORDIALITY returned from a layoff this year as an improved filly. Her comeback sprint win was super; she never looked like a loser. The race was validated when runner-up Spin Me a Kiss returned to win.

SIXTH RACE

A good field of lightly raced 2yo fillies entered the G2 Sorrento Stakes, including at least three good ones. The choice is SPECTATOR, whose smashing debut in late June was flattered when four rivals she defeated returned to win next out. It was the most productive 2yo race of the season in Southern California. SPECTATOR won by more than five lengths, and trained splendidly since. The off-the-pace style she displayed first out should play well in a race loaded with speed. Due to the modest speed figure she earned first out (68 Beyer), she might offer wagering value as (possibly) third choice in the betting. DIAMONDS AND PEARLS, a $1.7 million purchase at a March 2yo sale, came out firing in her debut. She crushed by more than six lengths, and won with plenty left in the tank. No telling how good she will be. SURRENDER NOW followed her debut victory with an impressive victory in the Landaluce Stakes, winning by eight lengths with the highest figure in this field (79 Beyer). The knock is the filly she beat (Gorgeous Ginny) returned to get trounced Wednesday by Calbreds. But make no mistake regarding SURRENDER NOW. She is a good one, quick enough to establish position from the rail, and could take these gate to wire. Good race, three promising fillies.

SEVENTH RACE

Most of these 2yo colts are first-time starters including BOLT D’ORO, a $630k Medaglia d’Oro colt with sharp workouts for owner-trainer Mick Ruis. The colt’s two workouts since arriving at Del Mar have been solid; six and a half furlongs should be fine. KING CAUSE is a full brother to Running Mate, who won his career debut last fall by six lengths, and early this year was briefly one of the top 3yo prospects at Fair Grounds. KING CAUSE appears to have trained well enough, although maidens from this stable tend to improve as they gain experience. SO LONG SAILOR is a first-time starter with good works. FLIP THE COIN JAN finished a promising third in his debut. He has an experience edge over the top three.

EIGHTH RACE

East Coast shipper CAMBODIA is the choice to upset locally based favorite AVENGE in this G2 turf route for fillies and mares. The two recent starts by CAMBODIA were solid (G3 win, G3 third), whereas AVENGE has raced only one this year, albeit against better. CAMBODIA has tactical speed, a finishing kick, and should get a good trip positioned second or third behind the favorite. AVENGE is the “safe” selection, second start of the season after finishing third to Lady Eli two months ago. AVENGE won both starts on this course last summer, she faces only one other serious pace rival. Would have liked to see AVENGE put up more resistance in the lane in her comeback last out, although it was her first start of the season and she was facing better ndthan these. HILLHOUSE HIGH has gradually improved this year, except for her most recent start in Kentucky. She is back home in California, on firm ground, and her G2 win two back puts her in the hunt. JUNO is the aforementioned pace rival for the AVENGE, while KISS ME NOW is a two-time Group 1 winner from South America making her U.S. debut. This field did not come up with any superstars, it might be a good spot for a new shooter.

NINTH RACE

The N2X runner-up finish last out by RIVER ECHO was flattered when winner Curlin Road returned to win the G3 Cougar II. RIVER ECHO hit the board all six starts since transferring to Peter Miller, he has a forwardly placed style and an inside post, and speed figures appropriate for this level. STORMIN MONARCHO is a 14-time winner, multiple stakes winner, in from New York and entered for the optional $62.5k claim tag. He is a tough veteran in good form. CURLIN RULES is a lightly raced (12 starts) son of Curlin with an up-front running style. COASTLINE stretches out and helps insure true pace. LUCKY J LANE will be rolling late in a race that could set up for his style.

TENTH RACE

The improving TASTEMAKER finished second last out, while benefitting from a rail-skimming trip. The improving colt moves up in class, from maiden-40 to maiden-62.5k, and can win with a similar rally. KINEMATICO stretched out for the