Betting with favorites on the Nov. 5 undercard at Del Mar

November 4th, 2021

Prior to the handful of Breeders’ Cup races that will take place at Del Mar during Future Stars Friday, a quartet of black-type events will be contested. The intriguing betting events are a good platform to build your bankroll before plunging on the marquee contests later in the afternoon.

Race 2 - Golden Mile S.

The one-mile turf endeavor for two-year-olds is led by the unbeaten #8 Ready to Purrform (5-2) from the barn of Brad Cox. The Kitten’s Joy chestnut went last-to-first in the Laurel Futurity S. last time out, and the April foal will be tough to deny late if he shows any kind of improvement with Florent Geroux riding.

If #5 Detroit City (6-1) can relax early in the speed-laden field, then the Dialed In colt could be dangerous at a decent number under Luis Saez. The chestnut impressed with a fine maiden score two back at Ellis Park, and I also liked his effort in the Indian Summer S. at Keeneland most recently.

Wagers

$3 trifecta 8 with 5 with all ($21)
$2 trifecta 8 with all with 5 ($14)

Race 3 - Golden State Juvenile Fillies S.

California-bred two-year-old fillies will travel seven panels on the dirt in a $175,000 affair. John Sadler’s #3 Big Novel (3-1) is a slight morning-line favorite coming off a stout maiden victory at Santa Anita. The gray has improved her Brisnet Speed figure in every race to date, and another step forward makes her imposing on this occasion. At a decent price, I don’t need to hunt for big rewards in the vertical exotics.

Wager

$20 win and place #3 Big Novel ($40)

Race 4 - Senator Ken Maddy S.

Five-furlong dash on the sod for fillies and mares attracted 10, led by Richard Mandella’s #8 Superstition (3-1). The four-year-old daughter sports a three-for-three mark on the course, which includes a sharp score in the Daisycutter S. here two prior. The daughter of Ghostzapper will never be far back while stalking the pace beneath Flavien Prat.

Two-time stakes heroine #1 Hear My Prayer (4-1) and Euro import #6 Thunder Love (20-1), are the two contenders that I will put underneath the choice.

Wagers

$20 exacta 8 with 1, 6 ($40)
$1 trifecta 8 with all with 1, 6 ($16)

Race 5 - Golden State Juvenile S.

The juvenile boys will run seven-eighths on the main strip with a nice cast going postward. #1 Jokey Boy (7-2) is the morning-line choice for Brian Koriner in the 13-horse field. The Practical Joke colt aired in his most recent try on the strip, prior to going unplaced in a two-turn endeavor in the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita last time out. The February foal drops in class, cuts back in distance, and will have blinkers on for the initial time. Johnnie V has the call.

#5 Fast Draw Munnings (8-1) was a smart debut winner at Los Alamitos and could be dangerous with a move forward for Jeff Mullins. The April foal has trained well in advance of his stakes debut. #2 Liberty Forever (15-1) was third in a turf sprint at first asking, and I love the surface change for his second assignment for Peter Miller. Juan Hernandez retains the mount.

Miller’s #3 I Know Cash Flow (8-1) and #11 Slow Down Andy (5-1), a solid debut winner for Doug O’Neill, will also make the frame.