Out Cap Da Shap at Del Mar on August 29

by SCOTT SHAPIRO

The final week of the Del Mar summer meeting gets started tomorrow and that means one last chance to "Out Cap Da Shap."

After failing to connect on the late Pick 4 over the first 6 Wednesday's "Where the Turf Meets the Surf," I was able to redeem myself last week going 4-for-4 and collecting $555.25 on a 50-cent wager. The good news for the 10 Twin Spires customers that also had the winners in Races 5 through 8 was that they still collected an extra $100 on top of the solid payday they received due to the upset victories by Exotic Ghost in the 5th ($44) and Colormemoney in the 8th ($42)

Here are my thoughts on the races included in the last Wednesday afternoon late Pick 4 of the summer:

Race 5

A $32,000 maiden claimer run at five panels over the main track gets things started.

#10 No Thanks Erik is the deserving 3-1-morning line favorite as she moves off the rail after encountering serious traffic trouble from the inside in her second career start for trainer Doug O'Neill. O'Neill removes the blinkers on the daughter of He's Had Enough, which should allow her to settle off the pace under jockey Mario Gutierrez. I like her chances to visit the winners' circle for the first time on Wednesday afternoon.

If No Thanks Erik fails to get the job done #2 Lucky Flash is the likeliest to spring the minor upset. The daughter of Itsmyluckyday led through much of her debut effort on August 2 for trainer Todd Fincher before tiring late and finishing fourth. She certainly merits serious consideration given her speed and Fincher's success with runners making their second start.

If #11 Romolina, #12 Twitterati, and #13 Gracie Belle draw in off the also eligible they could earn a spot on my ticket as well. For now though I will go two-deep.

Race 6

A long-distance optional claimer run over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course is up next. There does not appear to be a ton of early speed signed on in this 1 3/8-mile event on the sod, so using horses from way out of it may not be an optimal strategy. That being said, I lack a strong opinion in this spot since trip is likely to decide the outcome.

#11 Tartini is a major player making his second start off a two-month freshening for trainer Jack Carava. In his last race, the son of Giant's Causeway found a nice spot early on under veteran Rafael Bejarano, but lost position and never got a clear run in the lane. The move to Flavien Prat is an upgrade that could lead him to his first win in the States.

I was 'all-in' on #13 Mithqaal in a nine-furlong starter allowance affair on August 2 where he sat a perfect trip, but could not hold off the late charge by #9 Tough It Out. If he draws in off the also-eligible list his tactical speed from the outside should give him a big chance to get to the wire first.

I will use these two and others in the second leg.

Race 7

The featured $100,000 Generous Portion drew a field of seven California-bred or California-sired two-year-old fillies. I found being creative in this to be a tough task as the 3 top choices on odds-maker Russell Hudak's morning line look like the ones likeliest to get their picture taken.

#7 Creative Instinct sped to the early lead from the rail and never looked back in her debut victory for leading trainer Peter Miller. She moves to a more advantageous outside post on Wednesday and is my lukewarm top choice.

If you are looking for a horse to consider outside of the logicals, #5 Mucho Unusual is ambitiously spotted in her initial try for trainer Tim Yakteen. The half-sister to Big Score may be better suited for the lawn in the long run, but the fact Yakteen attracts the services of Flavian Prat is certainly worth noting.

Race 8

A two-turn maiden claimer at a mile and an eighth over the grass closes things out.

Horses taking the drop from special weight company into this level are always attractive since those events are far more competitive. Keeping that in mind, I give a big look to the class droppers #2 Indoctrination, #3 Key to the Nile, #4 King Caymus and my top choice #6 Data Central. I will also include #1 Culpable who moves to the rail after racing against the flow last time out for Hall of Famer Richard Mandella.

My ticket (subject to change with scratches:)

2,10 with 3,4,5,11,13 with 3,4,5,7 with 1,2,3,4,6

Ticket Cost: $100

Good luck!