Tabbing a value play in the 2022 Eddie Read Stakes

An overflow field of 12 was entered for Sunday’s $250,000 Eddie Read S. (G2) at Del Mar. With the scratch of There Goes Harvard, who runs in Saturday’s San Diego H. (G2) instead, a full cast of 11 is expected to go forward. The especially competitive nine-furlong turf event features a quartet from the barn of the red-hot Phil D’Amato, and I will give the slight edge to a horse from his shedrow.

European import #2 Cash Equity (12-1) has run a pair of solid allowance races since coming to the States and could be poised for a big showing in his first appearance at Del Mar. By Toronado, the $284,102 purchase had some success in his native France at two and three, and I like what I have seen from the gray since he arrived on U.S. soil.

The four-year-old has displayed good tactical speed in each of his Golden State tries to date, and in a big field, having some gate presence can be a very good trait to utilize. French-bred colt comes in fresh with some solid morning drills in advance of Sunday, including a useful five-furlong move on this lawn last weekend. Florent Geroux taking the reins adds to his appeal.

#1 Masteroffoxhounds (8-1), another from the D’Amato camp, is not overly consistent but fits the bill in this tilt with his best. Talented Grade 2 star has only run nine furlongs on the green one prior time, but at this stage of his development, I feel that the trip might be ideal for his running style. The well-bred son of War Front owns a prior win over this strip, and the five-year-old also possesses very good positional speed which he can use from the potentially advantageous rail post. I like that pilot Juan Hernandez stuck with the bay for this endeavor, as well.

Grade 1 victor and likely pacesetter #3 Beyond Brilliant (5-2) looms large for conditioner John Shirreffs. Twirling Candy colt has been consistently good since moving to the sod, and the four-year-old is also 2-for-2 over the Del Mar surface. The bay is training swiftly as of late and will have Victor Espinoza up.

I could make a case for numerous additional horses in the deep field, but I had to take a stand somewhere.

Eddie Read Wagers

• $10 win and place #2 Cash Equity ($20)
• $5 exacta key box 2 with 1,3 ($20)
• 50-cent trifecta 1,2 with 1,2,3 with all ($18)