Exotics Plays to kick off the Friday Card at Del Mar

Breeders’ Cup Friday at Del Mar boasts a massive 10-race card, led by a handful of Grade 1 tilts for juveniles to cap an all-important day of racing.

I’ll look to pad my bankroll early and key my wagers around a horse of value in the opener. 

Race 1 Wagers

• $5 trifecta 1 with 5 with 2,6,9 ($15)
• $5 trifecta 1 with 2,6,9 with 5 ($15)
• $5 trifecta 5 with 1 with 2,6,9 ($15)
• 50-cent superfecta 1,5 with 1,5 with 2,6,9 with all ($15)

Race 1 Analysis

#1 Vlahos (8-1) is an especially generous price on the morning line, and I like his chances a whole lot for conditioner Doug O’Neill. The Kantharos chestnut was a huge debut winner at Santa Anita in March for Luis Mendez and was then transferred to O’Neill following that triumph.

Vlahos reappeared on Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs in the Pat Day Mile (G2) against a very deep cast, and the sophomore forced rapid early splits prior to settling for a strong third-place finish behind eventual classic winner Seize the Gray. 

Vlahos made his third attempt at Santa Anita on Oct. 5 and showed little, but I’ll give him a pass for the run as he likely needed the start off a five-month absence. The Kentucky-bred shows a pair of useful local drills in preparation for Friday, including a nice move from the gate most recently, and he will always be in the hunt in the dash with Edwin Maldonado taking the reins. 

#5 Red Flag (8-5) seems a lot like a "horse for the course" type following two big victories on the strip following a long layoff. Recently claimed by Mark Glatt, the six-year-old gelding has paired up triple-digit Brisnet Speed numbers in his last two and can win from on or off the pace as well. Umberto Rispoli retains the mount atop the son of Tamarkuz, and the six-year-old is a top three must-use. 

Beyond my two top choices, I’ll use #2 McLaren Vale (12-1), 2023 Santa Anita Derby (G1) third #6 Skinner (4-1), and Bob Baffert’s debut winner #9 Dothraki (6-1) in the vertical exotics.