Sunday's 8th race (5:30PM PT) from Del Mar is the G2 Best Pal Stakes for 2-year-olds traveling six and one-half furlongs on Polytrack.
I liked
#5 Western Mood (5-2) in the G3 Hollywood Juvenile last time and will stick with the promising Hollendorfer trainee. He broke slow and finished fast in his five furlong bow before missing by a neck from the outside post to the more experienced
#1 J P's Gusto (2-1) last time. This distance favors sustained runners and look for him to mow these down under Rosario.
J P's Gusto is stuck down on the rail and will not offer much value for a cold barn. PVal replaces the injured Joe Talamo.
#6 Sway Away (5-2) earned a triple digit number in sharp Pleasanton debut. He owns a promising pedigree (Afleet Alex-Seattle Slew) and should continue to progress. Bejarano hops aboard but let's see how he handles synthetic.
The Plays: $50 to win #5 -
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