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TVG racing expert Emily Shields is back this week with picks for Saturday's races at Del Mar
ANALYSIS

Racing returns at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club this weekend after last week’s racing was disrupted due to COVID-19. The action includes three stakes races on Saturday and two on Sunday, topped by the $200,000 Eddie Read Stakes (G2) for older turf horses.

Saturday, Race 2 - $65,000 Smiling Tiger Stakes - Click here to bet with TVG

Best Bet: A small field of five for the inaugural Smiling Tiger Stakes, where #4 Vertical Threat is a 6-5 favorite for trainer Richard Baltas after breaking his maiden by six lengths last out. #3 Ragtime Blues (7-5) is the choice here for offering slightly more value, being graded stakes placed, and having the combo of Mike Smith/Bob Baffert at the helm.

Saturday, Race 9 - $150,000 San Clemente Stakes (G2) - Click here to bet with TVG

Best Bet: This is the best betting race of the weekend if you don’t like favored #3 Laura’s Light (3-1). Horses like #11 Applecross (12-1), #10 Guitty (20-1), and #8 Mind Out (15-1) all have credentials to make a noise, especially the latter after having broken her maiden here last summer. #5 Croughavouke (6-1) was stakes placed here last September over the distance and missed by just a half-length to Laura’s Light last out.

Saturday, Race 10 - $150,000 San Diego Stakes (G2) - Click here to bet with TVG

Best Bet of the Card: #5 Maximum Security (Even) makes his return to the races for a new trainer and at a new track. Last year’s champion who crossed the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby but ended up disqualified for interference has been nearly flawless since, winning his last four starts including the $20 million Saudi Cup in February. Even if not fully cranked he should out-perform this group.

Sunday, Race 8 - $200,000 Eddie Read Stakes (G2) - Click here to bet with TVG

Best Bet: Defending champion #1 Bowies Hero has drawn the rail for this. Phil D’Amato trains the son of Artie Schiller, who was a Grade 1 winner at Keeneland after last year’s Eddie Read score. He has only run once this year, off from November 2 until June 21 when he finished second, beaten just a length. He needed that run and has three wins over this turf course already. #7 United is a popular sort who has won his last two starts, both over 1 ¼ miles. He has a win and a second in two tries on this course but the 1 1/8 miles might be too short.

Sunday, Race 10 - $125,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes - Click here to bet with TVG

Best Bet: #5 Grinning Tiger was 92-1 when he took the Crystal Water Stakes on June 6 against similar horses. He switched to the dirt last out in the Soi Phet at Los Alamitos to be second, but prefers the grass and looks to continue his fairy tale run here. #3 Brandothebartender has been second or third in his last six starts and hasn’t won since 2018 but has been knocking at the door and is a must use beneath.

Watch every race of the Del Mar meeting live with TVG, which is pleased to announce that residents in Michigan can now watch and wager on live horse racing. TVG will be operating in partnership with Northville Downs, a Michigan Standardbred racing facility. TVG can be watched via cable or satellite, and is available via its app, which offers all the races and betting opportunities of the website or television stream.

To bet on the card at Del Mar and claim your $300 risk-free bet with TVG simply:

1 - Open a TVG account HERE

2 - Register using code RISKFREE1 and make a deposit

3 - Place a single horse win bet and if it loses they’ll refund you up to $300

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