Darley Debutante

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

MI SUENO (Pulpit) rates top billing in Saturday’s $300,000 Darley Debutante
S. (G1) at seven furlongs. After finishing second in her first two starts at Hollywood Park, the
two-year-old filly found her best stride over the Polytrack at Del Mar,
registering a 6 1/2-length decision in the August 7 Sorrento S. (G3), and we’ll
look for her to carry that form forward. The bay displayed a tremendous turn of
foot last time, quickly inhaling the leaders after turning into the stretch, and
she’s posted a bullet four-furlong work since then for trainer Eric Guillot. The
first foal out of Grade 1-winning millionaire Madcap Escapade (Hennessy), Mi
Sueno may continue to live up to her regal bloodlines.

NECESSARY EVIL (Harlan’s Holiday) was never a serious factor after breaking
poorly in the Sorrento, but she still managed to grab second and is capable of
better here. After easily defeating Mi Sueno in her career debut and recording a
three-length victory over males in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship (G3) next
out, the Doug O’Neill pupil was favored at 4-5 last time. The bay lass can
revert to her front-running form with an alert start under Joel Rosario, and
Necessary Evil is a threat to last a long way on the front end.

CHAMPAGNE D’ORO (Medaglia d’Oro) has the same connections as Mi Sueno and is cross-entered to Monday’s Del Mar Futurity (G1), so there’s a chance she’ll
drop out of this spot. The bay lass garnered a commendable 95 BRIS Speed rating
for a sharp win over maiden special weight rivals last time, drawing off by a 2
1/4-length margin in the 5 1/2-furlong event, and we expect further improvement
as she stretches out in distance. Champagne d’Oro is a top three contender if
she stays in the race.

BLIND LUCK (Pollard’s Vision) is unbeaten in two starts, but she captured a
maiden claiming event at Calder and a starter allowance at Del Mar. The Jerry Hollendorfer runner figures to be seriously tested for class here, but she’s
worked well since her last start and owns promising BRIS Speed numbers. Blind
Luck merits consideration for the exotics.

PURE CLASS (Purge) was bet in her debut but never fired after a slow start,
checking in fifth behind Champagne d’Oro, and it’s tough to envision her being a
serious factor here off that performance. However, the John Sadler trainee is
eligible to show more with an alert break, and she should offer plenty of value
this time around. She’s one to consider for the bottom of the gimmicks at long
odds. IT TIZ (Tiznow) is one for one in her career, taking a 6 1/2-furlong
maiden special weight earlier in the meet, but the Mark Glatt trainee doesn’t
appear to be as far along as some of her rivals here.

REPO (In Excess [Ire]) steps up off a nice score in the restricted C.T.B.A.
S., but she doesn’t figure to enjoy the same favorable trip on Saturday. We also
have concerns about the added ground. PUNCTUAL (Werblin) could add to the early
pace, but we’ll be surprised if she sustains it. LA NEZ (Storm Creek) has raced
exclusively against California-bred or -sired rivals, so we’ll just watch her
open debut. RIDEMETOTHEMOON (Malibu Moon) doesn’t look fast enough to challenge.