Del Mar Oaks

A field of 11 turf sophomores, including one also-eligible, is set to go 1
1/8 miles on Del Mar’s green Saturday in the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1), and we
think SINGHALESE (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) will earn her second win of the meet in
this one. Trained by James Cassidy, the chestnut miss posted her first U.S. win
last out in a 8 1/2-furlong turf test, scoring by 2 1/4 lengths while racing
three wide. She earned a 96 BRIS Speed rating, but showed even more in her
previous start, a third in the American Invitational Oaks (G1) at Hollywood
Park. There, Singhalese raced three wide in midpack before moving up to sit off
the leaders. Rallying in the stretch, she was just 1 1/2 lengths back of the
very nice Melhor Ainda (Pulpit), who recently ran third against older rivals in
the Beverly D. S. (G1). Singhalese posted 102 Speed and 109 BRIS E2 Pace figures
for that one and enters here off a nice five-furlong move on August 11. Mike
Smith has the call.

THREE DEGREES (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire]) was fifth in the American Oaks last out
and captured the Honeymoon Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) before that. For the Honeymoon,
the gray filly was steadied, then rallied to score by a length while earning a
100 Speed figure. Prior to the Honeymoon, she was second in the Senorita S. (G3)
and came from the back of that one to just miss by a nose at the wire, garnering
a nice 108 BRIS Late Pace rating for her effort. The Patrick Gallagher trainee
has been working for her return and will get Alex Solis in the irons.

RICH IN SPIRIT (Repriced) has finished off the board only once since breaking
her maiden last August, and that fourth-place finish came by just a half-length
in her 2005 debut. Since then, the Thomas Proctor charge has competed in nothing
but stakes, earning her first graded win with a 1 1/4-length victory in the
Regret S. (G3) two back. Most recently, she was third in the Virginia Oaks at nine furlongs, posting a 107 Late Pace figure, and owns a 4-2-1 record from
eight starts on the grass. The dark bay lass will probably come with a rally
from the back and could prevail under Pat Valenzuela.

BERBATIM (Bernstein) stumbled leaving the gate of the Honeymoon last out,
causing Solis to loose his irons, then bore out on the first turn after her
rider had regained his footing in the stirrups. After all that, Solis pulled her
up on the backstretch. Previously, the Richard Mandella-trained dark bay miss
had captured the Providencia S. (G3) by an easy 2 1/2 lengths on the lead and
could try the same tactics here. She appears to be the only speed in this race
and could take top honors if she can overcome the more than two-month layoff.
Jockey Garrett Gomez picks up the mount.

ISLA COZZENE (Cozzene) doesn’t look as fast as others in here, but the bay
filly has been going well of late. She broke her maiden by seven lengths at
Hollywood Park in May, then ran third in the Honeymoon before throwing in an
uncharacteristic ninth in the American Oaks two back. Last out, the sophomore
was second in an optional claimer over the course after moving up between horses,
and she could show up in the exotics here at a price. SHINING ENERGY (Rahy) owns a nice
late turn of hoof, rallying from last in the San Clemente H. (G2) most recently
to take the mile test by 1 1/4 lengths. She seems to be a game competitor, but
our major concern is that she may not do so well on the stretch out here.
Regardless of that, Shining Energy deserves some consideration for the top three
under Rene Douglas.

PEACEFUL LOVE (Ger) (Dashing Blade) and LASIKA (GB) (Pursuit of Love) will
both be making their first starts in the United States in this spot. The former
has been going well in France, running just a half-length back in fourth in the
Prix de Psyche (Fr-G3) on August 2, and could threaten for the win if she’s
acclimated herself well. Lasika might also challenge for a share off a
three-length Italian victory, but will have to contend with a near two-month
break as well as a change in scenery. She’ll be getting Lasix for the first-time
here, though, so still consider for the gimmicks.

LOUVAIN (Ire) (Sinndar) ran well back in her only attempt past a mile and,
though she’s a game runner, we can’t recommend at Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile contest. MI
LUNA NUEVA (El Prado [Ire]) is taking a class jump here and we’ll just watch for
now to see how she handles it. DANCING EDIE (Moscow Ballet) will need someone to
scratch to drawn in here, but we think the recent maiden winner will need a race
before facing this level of competition.