How to bet the Del Mar Mile Handicap

On paper, Sunday’s Del Mar Mile H. (G2) is shaping up to be a battle between an established Grade 1 star and a largely unheralded up-and-comer.

With #6 Sharp Samurai expected to scratch in favor of a start in Saturday’s Pacific Classic (G1), the most accomplished runner in this 1-mile turf test is #4 Mo Forza.

Although the son of Uncle Mo required a half-dozen starts to break his maiden, he improved by leaps and bounds toward the end of 2019, when he rattled off victories in the Twilight Derby (G2), Hollywood Derby (G1), and Mathis Brothers Mile (G2) to emerge as one of the best turf horses in California.

Versatility has been a strong suit for Mo Forza. He has won from pressing, stalking, and closing positions, which gives jockey Flavien Prat ample options to work out a clean trip at Del Mar.

But Mo Forza hasn’t run since January, when he traveled to Gulfstream Park for the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) and weakened to finish ninth. He has been training forwardly for his return and should enjoy a relaxed journey without blinkers, but will Mo Forza produce his "A" game off a seven-month layoff?

He’ll have to, because #11 Bob and Jackie looks like a “now” horse ready to steal the show. A somewhat delicate 4-year-old, with just six starts under his belt, Bob and Jackie is a three-time stakes-winning miler with an abundance of tactical speed. He was particularly impressive in the 1-mile Wickerr at Del Mar last month, when he tracked the pace and rallied gamely to win by a neck over the talented pacesetter #10 Kiwi’s Dream.

The Wickerr was Bob and Jackie’s first start of the season, and I’m optimistic he will take a step forward in the Del Mar Mile.

Trainer Richard Baltas strikes at a 19% rate second time off a layoff, and Bob and Jackie figures to sit a cozy trip stalking Kiwi’s Dream and 2019 Wickerr winner #2 Bombard early. From there, Bob and Jackie should have every chance to out-kick Mo Forza to the finish line.

$11 to win on #11 Bob and Jackie
$0.50 trifecta: 4,11 with 4,11 with 1,2,3,7,8,9,10 ($7)
$0.50 trifecta: 4,11 with 1,2,3,7,8,9,10 with 4,11 ($7)
Total: $25

Good luck!