September first is Del Mar’s final Saturday of the current meet. A couple of graded races, the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante and the Grade 2 John C. Mabee, highlight an 11-race card. Check out analysis and horse racing betting picks for the top races where the Surf Meets the Turf on Saturday, September 1!
Del Mar Betting Picks for Saturday, September 1
Let’s get down to business. Almost time for first post! pic.twitter.com/8nYpKi2sDn
— Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) August 30, 2018
Race 4 – Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante Stakes, $300,000
7 furlongs-Dirt
It seems like every year, Jerry Hollendorfer unleashes one of the top 2-year-old fillies in the nation. This year, his top 2-year-old might be Brill, the 8/5 morning line chalk to win the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante. Although I like Brill, I’m not putting her on top. Bob Baffert 2-year-old filly monster, Mother Mother, dueled, cleared, and then drew off to win her maiden. She should improve big time for Baffert who, like Hollendorfer, always has a top 2-year-old filly racing from his barn. Brill is an easy pick to finish second. Oxo Equine Llc purchased Brill for $1,000,000. She easily broke her maiden and deserves to be the favorite. Bellafina broke her maiden in the Grade 2 Sorrento. She’s got the experience and class to pull off the upset. But, I prefer Mother Mother and Brill more.- First: Mother Mother
- Second: Brill
- Third: Bellafina
Race 8 – Allowance Optional Claiming, $80,000
1 mile-Turf
Prince Earl looks well-meant after breaking his maiden at first asking winning down the hill at Santa Anita. He should have no trouble stretching out to this mile distance while he proved he can lay off the pace and close. There’s a ton of speed in this which is why another closer, Magic Musketier, could finish second. The Jerry Hollendorfer trainee has 2 wins from 7 starts at the distance. He should also hold his 6/1 morning line odds. Ron Ellis trained Jimmy Chilla almost won at this level in his last. He lost by a nose after lying a length off the speed and making a spirited run to the wire. He should go off the favorite but faces much more speed in this then he did in his last race.- First: Prince Earl
- Second: Magic Musketier
- Third: Jimmy Chilla
Race 10 – Grade 2 John C Mabee Stakes, $200,000
1 1/8 miles-Turf
On Saturday, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer finally enters 5 in a row winner Vasilika into a graded race. She has a shot, but she also figures to be over bet in this. All the speed should set it up for closer Storm the Hill. After winning the Grade 3 Wilshire she slightly regressed in the Yellow Ribbon. A return to form might put her in the winner’s circle. Plus, she’s at 15/1 on the morning line. Cambodia used a victory in last year’s John C. Mabee to springboard to a top 3 finish in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. She’ll go off the chalk. Unless she runs into trouble, she should definitely finish in the top 3 on Sep. 1. Vladimir Cerin trained Fahan Mura could steal it if the other speed doesn’t go with her. Even if the other speed does go with her, she’ll run them into the ground. She figures to have the best shot of hanging on for third.- First: Storm the Hill
- Second: Cambodia
- Third: Fahan Mura
