2022 Del Mar Debutante Cheatsheet
By TwinSpires Editorial Team, Sponsored Content
By Vance Hanson (TwinSpires.com)
1. VEGAS MAGIC (3-1) – Easily the most accomplished filly in the field to date having won three times, including a minor stake at Pleasanton against males and the Sorrento (G2), the traditional prep for this; although this race is missing some heavy hitters by way of attrition, she doesn’t exactly stand out, from a speed figure perspective, over those that have shown up here; one or two of these could step forward and she would become less attractive the more her price dips below the morning line.
2. KISSED BY FIRE (8-1) – Second best on debut to Justique, who was visually impressive winning that July 31 race, if not on the speed figure scale; in her absence, it makes sense for connections to take a chance here with this maiden; has the speed to be involved from the start, and natural improvement second out makes her a potential player.
3. AND TELL ME NOLIES (3-1) – A non-threat first out, but improved significantly second time with blinkers added; showed improved speed that day and repelled a rival late to win by a neck; in a race without a lot of speed elements, her improved early foot may come in handy; worth a look.
4. SATIN DOLL (20-1) – Upset her debut with an outside rally as a 31-1 outsider, but didn’t muster a challenge when racing closer to the inside in the Sorrento, which she lost by 7 1/2 lengths to Vegas Magic; obviously will need to show more off that effort, but would expect Frey to ride her in fashion similar to that winning debut.
5. FAST AND SHINY (8-1) – Debut winner is out of a dam that was a stakes winner at 2 as well as a half-sister to a juvenile stakes winner; this is also the family of sprint champion filly Judy the Beauty; this one to a stalk-and-pounce route to victory last month over five furlongs and is eligible to progress; however, enters as the less appealing of the two Bafferts and will offer a price with top jock in the saddle.
6. HOME COOKING (9-5) – Baffert trainee dueled herself into submission first out as a heavy favorite, but removal of blinkers second out resulted in a more relaxed trip and a 9 1/4-length romp; has turned in two big works in the intervening three weeks, one a bullet five furlongs and the other over six panels; looks dangerous.
7. ARELLA STAR (15-1) – The lone East Coast shipper in the field graduated second out at Gulfstream over a next-out winner named Blind Spot, who won by more than two lengths going seven furlongs late last month; hard to gauge this filly’s relative talent versus the locals, but gut suggests the latter will have an edge.
8. ICE DANCING (8-1) – A fair debut when several lengths third behind And Tell Me Nolies; after breaking last she endured a wide journey, but ultimately wasn’t beaten a huge margin while earning show honors in a photo; has worked three times since for Mandella, including swift drills over three-eighths and a half-mile; potential improver in a competitive heat.