Kentucky Downs opens its doors as Del Mar and Saratoga prepare to close theirs.
Kentucky Downs hosts the Nashville Invitational Derby which is Gr 3 over 2100m turf for 3yos with a full field of 12 and 2 emergencies. Andrew Balding's stable is in good form at present and they have Bellum Jusum on 7.2 with Dettori booked for the ride. Cugino is on 4/1 for McCaughey-Prat, Carson's Run 9/2 for Clement-Rosario and another raider Joseph O'Brien's Stromberg is on 6/1 with D B McMonagle riding.
At Del Mar there are 3 Grade 3s and one Gr 2 and one Gr 1.
Starting with the Torey Pines Gr 3 for 3yo fillies over 1600m, there's a field of 7 headed by Baffert's Hope Road with JJ Hernandez riding. Most likely opposition comes from Doug O'Neill's Desert Rhapsody on 4/1.
The Del Mar Handicap is presented by the Japan Racing Association and is over 2800m turf with 7 runners. Phil d'Amato has two possibles here in Balnikov on 3/1 and Gold Phoenix 5/2 but we are going with the Chilean bred Master Piece now with John Sadler.
The Green Flash is over 1000m turf and has 12 runners. D'Amato could saddle the trio here as he has Motorious 7/2, Connie Swingle 9/2 and Turn on the Jets 5/1 in this.
The Gr 2 is the Del Mar Mile on turf with 10 runners headed by Baffert's Du Jour on 8/5 with First Peace on 3/1 for Glatt-Smith and Conclude 6/1 with Berrios on board.
The Pacific Classic is Gr 1 over 2000m and there are numerous chances here but we think the top two have good reasons to be there. They are Adare Manor Baffert-Hernandez 9/5 and Dr Venkman 5/2 Glatt-Fresu. We'll add Il Miracolo on 5/1 for A. Sano-M Smith.
