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DEL MAR -- Race #2 -- ZAIN LASS (#7)
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The 2nd race is a straight maiden sprint for 2 year old fillies at 6-1/2 furlongs. Par is 98. The early pace looks solid in here and should be an early battle between BELLA BANISSA and ELEVENTH STREET. The Baffert first time starter EXCESSIVELY NICE has a few fast workouts on her prep tab but the overall impression is that she is about average for Baffert and may not be a potential monster. I wouldn't be satisfied with accepting her as the 2-1 favorite in here. A first timer would have to be exceptional either early or late in the race but the early pace looks solid and ZAIN LASS is a talented filly with a big closing kick so this race type doesn't favor an inexperienced horse.
The spot play is definitely ZAIN LASS today. The daughter of Swain is in the barn of Ron McAnally and will be making her 2nd lifetime start. Her first start was against straight maidens at Hollywood on the turf at 5-1/2 furlongs. She was not sharp out of the gate but uncorked a big move on the turn to get right into contention as they turned for home. Unfortunately her momentum got cut off midstretch when she was trying to squeeze between horses so she had to duck back to the rail and re-rally. She started flying again late and missed by only 3/4 of a length in a solid final figure for the level. She earned a 93-99 and actually outran the 98 maiden par by a length. McAnally is not known for his work with first time starters (especially 2 year old first timers). His horses usually hit their best form with more racing and as the distance stretch out. She already plots with a nice final figure and if she improves at all she is a likely winner. Victor Espinoza will take over the ride for the injured Alex Solis. She has 3 slow but steady Del Mar works since the last race and should appreciate the little bit of extra distance.
BELLA BANISSA is a solid competitor and has run 2nd in both of her lifetime starts even though both starts were against stakes horses. First time out she earned a 98-98 at 5 furlongs in the Nursery stakes and then she set the pace to midstretch in the Grade 3 Landaluce before slipping to 2nd with a 101-100+ figure. That effort was at the 6 furlong distance and she looks like a very good match for ZAIN LASS in the exotics.
ZAIN LASS is the spot play win bet today. I would also key her in a backup quinella to BELLA BANISSA and ELEVENTH STREET which would be a good way to use the fillies with the best speed. Good luck.
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The 2nd race is a straight maiden sprint for 2 year old fillies at 6-1/2 furlongs. Par is 98. The early pace looks solid in here and should be an early battle between BELLA BANISSA and ELEVENTH STREET. The Baffert first time starter EXCESSIVELY NICE has a few fast workouts on her prep tab but the overall impression is that she is about average for Baffert and may not be a potential monster. I wouldn't be satisfied with accepting her as the 2-1 favorite in here. A first timer would have to be exceptional either early or late in the race but the early pace looks solid and ZAIN LASS is a talented filly with a big closing kick so this race type doesn't favor an inexperienced horse.
The spot play is definitely ZAIN LASS today. The daughter of Swain is in the barn of Ron McAnally and will be making her 2nd lifetime start. Her first start was against straight maidens at Hollywood on the turf at 5-1/2 furlongs. She was not sharp out of the gate but uncorked a big move on the turn to get right into contention as they turned for home. Unfortunately her momentum got cut off midstretch when she was trying to squeeze between horses so she had to duck back to the rail and re-rally. She started flying again late and missed by only 3/4 of a length in a solid final figure for the level. She earned a 93-99 and actually outran the 98 maiden par by a length. McAnally is not known for his work with first time starters (especially 2 year old first timers). His horses usually hit their best form with more racing and as the distance stretch out. She already plots with a nice final figure and if she improves at all she is a likely winner. Victor Espinoza will take over the ride for the injured Alex Solis. She has 3 slow but steady Del Mar works since the last race and should appreciate the little bit of extra distance.
BELLA BANISSA is a solid competitor and has run 2nd in both of her lifetime starts even though both starts were against stakes horses. First time out she earned a 98-98 at 5 furlongs in the Nursery stakes and then she set the pace to midstretch in the Grade 3 Landaluce before slipping to 2nd with a 101-100+ figure. That effort was at the 6 furlong distance and she looks like a very good match for ZAIN LASS in the exotics.
ZAIN LASS is the spot play win bet today. I would also key her in a backup quinella to BELLA BANISSA and ELEVENTH STREET which would be a good way to use the fillies with the best speed. Good luck.