How to bet the 2021 Del Mar Debutante Stakes

A fine field of eight speedy two-year-old fillies will go postward in Sunday’s $300,000 Del Mar Debutante S. (G1). The seven-furlong dash attracted some of the top youngsters on the grounds in what appears to be a fantastic rendition of the race.

The filly that intrigues me most is Mark Glatt’s #4 Dance to the Music. Bred in Kentucky, the expensive $575,000 two-year-old purchase did not disappoint on debut when driving home a 4 3/4-length victress on the strip, and she has come back to post four solid drills in the interim, including a bullet six furlongs here two back.

Dance to the Music made short work of a fine field at first asking and seems poised to improve with one under her belt, as she has more of a foundation following four quality morning moves in the interim. The chestnut was assigned a dream post just outside two of the major players in the field and will force the pace from the break before inching clear in the stretch. Abel Cedillo will be up.

Conditioner Bob Baffert comes into the race double-fisted, and it’s hard for me to separate his duo. #2 Eda has run well in both lifetime tries to date, which includes a sharp runner-up performance in the Sorrento S. (G2) last time out. The pricey daughter of Munnings benefits from having John Velazquez in the stirrups.

#7 Grace Adler was a measured winner on the oval in her first offering and gives me the impression of a fine long-term prospect. The $700,000 Curlin filly ran to her 2-5 odds in that five-furlong sprint, and she will surely improve with the added ground on Sunday. Flavien Prat riding is always a good thing, too.

And #3 Elm Drive, who is 2-for-2 including a score in the Sorrento, is an obvious inclusion, as well. The precocious Mohaymen filly can win from on or off the pace, and she continues to train in forward fashion for D’Amato.

I see this quartet having a big edge on their foes in the Debutante.

Del Mar Debutante Wagers

• $10 win and place #4 Dance to the Music ($20)
• $5 exacta key box 4 with 2,7 ($20)
• $3 trifecta key 4 with 2,3,7 ($18)
• 50-cent superfecta box 2,3,4,7 ($12)