Linda’s Gift tops CTT and TOC Stakes at Del Mar

Eight turf stayers will travel 1 3/8 miles on the Del Mar turf in Friday’s $100,000 CTT and TOC S. The Richard Mandella-trained #2 Linda’s Gift (4-5) has blossomed since stretching out to distances of this nature at the end of 2023 and is the clear one to beat in the affair. 

By Arrogate, the speedy five-year-old has won four of five leading up to Friday, which includes a facile score in the Possibly Perfect S. at Santa Anita in June. Her lone setback this season came in the Gamely S. (G1) at a less-than-favorable nine furlongs. 

CTT and TOC Wagers

$20 exacta 2 with 6,8 ($40)
$5 trifecta key 2 with 6,8 ($10)

The Kentucky-bred mare looks like the controlling speed of the race as well as the class of the cast. Rather than trying to defeat her at a short price, I will simply key her on top in my plays. Regular rider Tiago Pereira retains the mount. 

Conditioner Phil D’Amato will come at the favorite with a trio of contenders and I will use a pair of those in the exotics. 

#8 Musical Rhapsody (9-2) is a consistent stakes heroine who has finished second on three occasions behind the top pick. By Holy Roman Emperor, the five-year-old has been first or second in each of her last three tries going 1 3/8 miles or longer. The bay comes in fresh for a fine layoff trainer and will be stalking the early pace from the second flight to the top of the lane under Mike Smith. 

#6 Sun of Hill (12-1) is a Group 1 victress in her native Brazil who will make her second run in the states for D’Amato. The Camelot Kitten four-year-old ran just evenly in her U.S. debut in the Osunitas S. on this surface in a race that was seemingly designed as a prep for this affair. She showed some positional speed in that tilt and will be closer with the extended distance second off the shelf. Kaz Kimura has the call again and should put this one in the race from the start.