Out Cap Da Shap at Del Mar on August 22

by SCOTT SHAPIRO

Just two Wednesday's left at the Del Mar summer meeting and I have yet to connect in the "Out Cap Da Shap" Late Pick 4 promo.
 
Last week, 35 Twin Spires horseplayers were able to piece together the last 4 races on the card collecting $219.80 on a 50-cent wager. They also earned an additional $57.14 with the promo since I was unable to hit on my end.
 
Here are my thoughts on the four races that comprise this Wednesday's sequence.
 
Race 5
 
The late Pick 4 gets started with a rock-bottom maiden claimer run at 6 1/2 furlongs over the main track.
 
#10 Belle Monte is likely to go off the favorite in her first try off the claim for leading trainer Peter Miller. The daughter of First Dude lost an unfortunate photo in her lone start of 2018 and draws well to the far outside, which should give apprentice Heriberto Figueroa options from the gate. The only concern is how she will take to the stretch out from 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 panels.
 
I will use Belle Monte, but from a wagering perspective I prefer #5 Kelseybelle. The four-year-old filly ran better than it appears on paper on August 8 when she encountered traffic from her inside draw. She finished in solid fashion, but could do no better than fourth. The fact trainer Andy Mathis wheels her back off of just 14 days rest suggests she came out of that race well.
 
#2 Queen Shelly Ann, #4 Chapis, and #6 Tengs Rhythm also merit consideration and will be on my ticket. #7 Gia Lula and #9 Shanghai Tootsie are both likely to take support at the pari-mutuel windows, but I will fade in this spot.
 
Race 6
 
A state-bred optional claimer at one mile over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course is up next. The pace should be honest in this one, but it is important to note that the temporary rails will be out at 30 feet. Therefore, wide swooping moves are not likely to work, while saving ground will be at a premium.
 
#3 Thermpolis saved ground in a mid-pack position early on his maiden breaking victory in late July and now takes on winners for the initial time. The son of Acclamation has a win and a second in two tries over the Del Mar sod and is in with a big shot to make it two straight scores for trainer Phil D'Amato.
 
If Thermopolis fails to run as well as he did last time this race is wide open. #1 Save Ground will take a lot of money based on his 6 in the money finishes in 7 starts for trainer Ben Cecil, but he is not for me. I do however have interest in #8 California Journey at a price for trainer Matt Chew. The son of Good Journey had to move too early from his extreme outside draw on July 29th. If Geovanni Franco can avoid an early tussle on the front end he could spring the upset in his second race over this course.
 
Race 7 -- Harry F. Brubaker Stakes
 
The Wednesday feature is the $75,000 Harry Brubaker run at one mile over the Del Mar dirt. Bob Baffert appears to hold a strong hand in this year's rendition of the Brubaker after capturing the event in 2017 with 2-5-favorite Cupid. Baffert sends out #1 Dabster and #4 Mubtaahij.
 
Dabster has been victorious 3 times in 7 career starts, including a win and a third in 2 tries over the Del Mar main track. He ran into the razor-sharp Catalina Cruiser in the San Diego H. (G2) last time out, but does not encounter anyone close to the quality of that John Sadler trainee in this non-graded stakes race.
 
Mubtaahij is the class of the field having earned over $5.7 million dollars over his 24-race career. The six-year-old has not won since capturing the Awesome Again (G1) last September, but should appreciate the class relief he gets on Wednesday after taking on graded stakes fields in all 7 starts since joining the Baffert barn.
 
I will lean on the Baffert duo on my "Out Cap Da Shap" ticket.
 
Race 8
 
A $20,000 claimer for three-year-olds closes the card.
 
There are several that are capable of getting to the wire first in this event, including #9 Bob's All In. The son of Tapizar looked like the winner in the fifth race on Opening Day, but was held off late by #4 Our Tiger's Boy. With an honest pace in the early going he should be rolling late.
 
#7 Don't Stalk Me is worth fading as the 3-1-morning line favorite. The son of Kafwain got an absolutely perfect trip off of a 4-horse duel on August 11th and was able to move along the inside versus lesser to a 2 1/2-length victory under jockey Evin Roman. He was claimed out of the race by trainer Ron Ellis who brings him back quickly. He is unlikely to get such a dream run as he did last time.
 
My ticket: (Subject to change with scratches)
 
2,4,5,6,10 with 3,6,8 with 1,4 with 2,5,6,9,10,11 = $90