Del Mar: How to bet the 2022 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes

Nine juveniles will travel one mile on the Del Mar sod in Sunday’s $100,000 Cecil B. DeMille S. (G3). With the abundance of pace signed on for the event, I believe that the winner will be rallying from off the early tempo on Sunday.

#6 Ze’bul (5-1) rallied from well back to graduate at first asking in a six-furlong turf dash at Santa Anita, and he should get a great set-up while stretching out in trip in his stakes debut. Trained by Ryan Hanson, the $130,000 yearling purchase was full of run late in his Oct. 21 unveiling and has trained forwardly since for a conditioner who is better with experienced runners in general. The son of Collected is bred to run long and will take back in the early stages prior to making one run in the lane with Abel Cedillo back in the irons.

#7 Speed Boat Beach (5-2) is the likely speed-of-the-speed for trainer Bob Baffert. The fleet son of Bayern was a facile winner in his first two career engagements, led by a victory in the Speakeasy S. two back at Santa Anita. Bred in the Sunshine State, the January foal has posted a pair of excellent morning drills in advance of the tilt and will be tough if he clears in the early stages. Flavien Prat retains the mount.

#3 First Peace (5-1) raced to a swift maiden victory at the distance at Santa Anita most recently and makes sense with another move in the right direction on this occasion. Mark Glatt pupil is capable of rating while in the mix early on, and the Bluegrass State-bred colt will be dangerous inside the final furlong if he can relax in the early stages. Mike Smith riding adds to the appeal.

Phil D’Amato’s #2 Ransomware (6-1) was a game maiden winner most recently in a blanket finish and rates a top-three chance in this contest. Ransom the Moon colt has done little wrong from a pair of two career outings and has obvious room for improvement for a conditioner who has been dominant in the turf stakes in California this campaign. Ramon Vazquez will be in the stirrups.

Cecil B. DeMille Wagers

• $15 win and place #6 Ze’bul ($30)
• $1 superfecta 6,7 with 6,7 with 2,3 with all ($24)