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DEL MAR NOTEBOOK JULY 27, 2011 by John Mucciolo A huge week of racing kicked off the opening week of action at Del Mar. Eddie Read S. (G1): Hilvers et al's ACCLAMATION (Unusual Heat) led through moderate early splits and left little doubt turning for home in posting a 3 1/4-length score under Joel Rosario. The peaking Donald Warren trainee got nine panels on the firm turf in 1:46 4/5. Now a three-time Grade 1 winner, the five-year-old is working his way into the Horse of the Year conversation following his third straight decisive graded conquer. San Clemente H. (G2): Anthony Ramsden's UP IN TIME (GB) (Noverre) displayed a lethal late kick in here to run down a clear leader and post a 1 1/4-length win on this day for conditioner Simon Callaghan. The improving sophomore filly got a mile on the firm lawn in 1:34 3/5 beneath Rafael Bejarano. The August 20 Del Mar Oaks (G1) is next. Track Stats From a total of 45 races held over the coastal racetrack during the five-day race week, favorites won at a 31 percent clip and the top two betting choices combined for 47 percent of the wins. From 32 frays contested on the Polytrack, four animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (12 percent), while one of the 13 grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (8 percent). We won't make any rash judgments about either oval after just one week of racing, especially since the nature of this venue is a bit volatile, but here was our take during week one. The turf oval didn't favor speed types, but we saw many pressing or stalking the early pace come home winners during the opening week. Last year the turf favored closers for nearly the entire meet, so we will be watching very closely in the coming days. As for the Polytrack, we think horses traveling on the outside have something of an advantage usually here. Speed isn't dead, but three of the wire jobs came in sprint form and just one in a route race. It's an oval where one big run can often win a race, and many seem to tire over it. Meet Totals
Post Positions (wins):
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (7/20) 1ST -- PRICE (Even the Score) ran down a clear one in the lane to get this meet started for Howard Zucker. The gelded five-year-old likes this oval and could win right back. 4TH -- LOVE MY WAY (Pomeroy) showed big speed at first asking and stayed on well to the finish in a third-place showing for Michael Machowsky. The juvenile filly should graduate soon. 8TH -- MR. COMMONS (Artie Schiller) was a fairly convincing winner in this event, stamping himself as an up-and-coming turf three-year-old, and should have a big second half of the year if he stays on the lawn for John Shirreffs. Thursday (7/21) 6TH -- MELTARIB (Muqtarib) was a sneaky good third behind a good pair in this one and looks live on her return for trainer Victor Garcia. The four-year-old filly finished well clear of the field in third. Friday (7/22) 5TH -- KALK BAY (Toccet) showed a powerful turn of foot on this day and could turn out to be a nice claim for Mike Mitchell, who is potent off first-time off the claim. 7TH -- CLOUD MAN (Thunder Gulch) put it all together in a fine tally on this occasion for Shirreffs, and this sophomore colt could be nearly as good as the aforementioned Mr. Commons. The chestnut colt got his final five-sixteenths in a swift :30 under Joe Talamo. Saturday (7/23) 3RD -- SECRET CIRCLE (Eddington) was most impressive at first asking in this debut, rolling home to an easy, 7 1/4-length win under Rafael Bejarano. The Bob Baffert juvenile colt will be graded-stakes bound in his return. The 1:03 2/5 final time was just one tick off the track mark. 7TH -- ORIENTATIOUS (Orientate) was always moving well in here and was professional in this win, rating off a clear leader before taking over in the lane. The Mike Puype-trained sophomore will surely be stakes bound in her subsequent effort. Sunday (7/24) 8TH -- MIZDIRECTION (Mizzen Mast) answered any distance questions with a big run in her first at a route, and the sophomore filly seems poised for a big second half of the season. A Look Ahead The $250,000 Bing Crosby S. (G1) and $200,000 San Diego H. (G2) are in the spotlight this weekend at Del Mar.
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