Del Mar H.

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Sunday’s $250,000 Del Mar H. (G2) drew an overflow of 12, but only 10 horses
will be allowed to start in the 1 3/8-mile turf test. There are a lot of
familiar faces in the full field, including 2008 winner SPRING HOUSE (Chester
House), and we’ve landed on OBRIGADO (Fr) (Enrique) for our top selection.

A hard-knocking gelding from the Neil Drysdale shedrow, Obrigado is a stakes
winner over the course and finished second in the 2006 Del Mar Derby (G2). He
likes the course, and the Grade 2 hero shows commendable recent form, easily
winning the Round Table H. (G3) two starts back at Hollywood. With no pace in a
four-horse field, the bay six-year-old had no chance in the Sunset H. (G2) last
time, but he’ll get completely different circumstances on Sunday. Rafael
Bejarano, who just returned to competition on Friday after suffering serious facial injuries on opening day,
figures to be hungry, and we like the way Obrigado has trained in preparation,
with four solid works over the course since August 5. He can run past his rivals
in the stretch.

Spring House is a serious threat to repeat. Winner of the San Luis Obispo H.
(G2) and Golden Gate Fields Turf S. (G3) this season, the Julio Canani runner has also
recorded a pair of runner-ups in Grade 2 events and owns a superb 4-2-0-2 mark
at this distance. The stalker registered a 101 BRIS Speed rating when posting a
1 1/2-length score in the 2008 edition of this race, and his recent BRIS numbers
are very respectable, including a 105 Late Pace number two starts back. Regular
rider Alex Solis will be biding his time in midpack before calling on the
seven-year-old gelding’s best run, and Spring House could prove impossible to
deny again.

The Drysdale-trained ARTISTE ROYAL (Ire) (Danehill), who will run uncoupled
with our top choice, also merits respect for the win. He’s garnered triple-digit
BRIS Speed numbers in his last six starts, and the strong closer will be
re-united with Garrett Gomez, who guided the eight-year-old to a win in the San
Marcos S. (G2) earlier this season the last time he rode him. Artiste Royal will
come up short often, but you can usually count on him for an honest effort that
picks up a check. We’ll use him on the bottom of the top three.

SIR DAVE (Untuttable) owns a fine late kick, registering century-topping BRIS
Late Pace numbers in a couple of starts this year, but the Grade 3 runner-up has
class concerns at this level. We like the post position (3) and the pick-up of
Joel Rosario, and won’t discount his chances for a minor award. PORFIDO (Chi)
(Mash One [Chi]) will make his first start at Del Mar, and the seven-year-old
will be looking to snap a nine-race losing skein. The Bobby Frankel-trained
horse has placed in his last three outings, though, and he looks capable of
challenging for part at this level over a marathon distance. Consider for the
exotics.

TEMPLE CITY (Dynaformer) scratched out of Saturday’s Del
Mar Mile H. (G2) in favor of this spot, but the up-and-coming colt will be
tested at an extended route of ground for the first time here. The Carla Gaines
runner exits a respectable fourth in the San Diego H. (G2) on Polytrack and has
run well on the turf previously, and he’s well-drawn in post 2. We’re inclined
to watch and see how he performs at the distance, but we won’t discourage any
one from using him on the bottom.

BLACK ASTOR (Black Minnaloushe) led wire to wire in the Sunset and will
likely attempt to show the way here, but he’s stuck in an outside post with some
speed to his inside. We’ll be surprised to see him sustain it throughout over
this course. UNUSUAL SUSPECT (Unusual Heat) exits a victory in the Cougar II H.
on the Polytrack, but his turf form isn’t strong enough for us to recommend his
chances.

ITSNOTJUSTAGAME (Rahy) will need to draw in from the also-eligibles list, and
he’ll be making his stakes bow if he does. We like what we’ve seen from the
four-year-old gelding recently, but we’ll give him a race against stakes rivals
if he starts. RACKETEER (Awesome Again) is winless in seven turf starts and
probably prefers less ground. GHETTO (GB) (Auction House) will likely show speed
under Victor Espinoza, but the former claimer looks overmatched in this spot.
QUARTER MOON (Tactical Cat) is stuck on the also-eligibles list, and the former
claimer doesn’t appear to have much chance if he gets in.