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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019
by: Rich Bieglmeier
Iconic actor Cary Grant may not have been a fan of horse racing saying, "You know I have the same interest in jewelry as I have in politics, horse racing, modern poetry, and women who need weird excitement – none."
Actor Cary Grant
Although the big screen legend isn't interested in the sport of kings, and other things, today's CARY GRANT STAKES at Del Mar is our Sunday Stakes race of interest.
Fittingly, BESTDRESSED scored the win in the inaugural CARY GRANT STAKES in 2009 at Hollywood Park. The non graded stakes race flipped over to Del Mar in 2014 after Hollywood Park closed its gates. Trainer Peter Miller has won three of the five CARY GRANT STAKES with SOLID WAGER since the race moved to where the turf meets the surf.
A different trainer and horse will wear the CARY GRANT STAKES crown in 2019 as Miller and SOLID WAGER are absent from this year's field of six. Del Mar oddsmaker Russ Hudak makes FASHIONABLY FAST (PP: 3) the 8/5 morning-line favorite to replace SOLID WAGER as the CARY GRANT champ.
FASHIONABLY FAST winning at Del Mar
The Dean Pederson trainee hasn't hit the track since October 5th but five solid workouts since, including a bullet on November 11th, suggest the four-year-old is ready to return to work. FASHIONABLY FAST has won his last three, which includes two at Del Mar.
OLIVER (PP: 5) is next up on the odds-board at 5/2. He's making his second start after a layoff. He finished a distance fifth by 9 lengths in his first start off then bench in nearly two-months. His history says he'll be much better in round two, especially at Del Mar where he has two wins, a second and a pair of thirds in five outings. His Del Mar success isn't surprising as his on/near the front running style fits the track bias.
GRINNING TIGER's (PP: 2) is the third pre-race choice at 3-1. He posted by far the highest, last race speed figure and his career best. However, it was on turf, where he's run two of his three top numbers. The four-year-old looks to repeat history ad he won the last time trainer Anthony Saavedra flipped GRINNING TIGER from grass to dirt.
ULTIMATE BANGO (PP: 1 ML 7/2) is the last horse in the field with morning line odds less than 10-1. He'll have to overcome the curse of the winless rail at the distance/surface to hit the wire first. He too is switching surfaces from turf to dirt, but it's not been the best angle for trainer Blake Heap, just a 12% winner. On the plus side, ULTIMATE BANGO ran his career best speed figure in his first race following a seven-week rest, a big 6 3/4 length trip to the winners' circle.
The top four appear pounds better on paper than SHADES OF VICTORY (PP: 4 ML 15-1) and RICK'S DREAM (PP: 16 ML 15-1). Our handicapper agrees in today's Pro Subscribers' Bonus Commentary:
"OLIVER has never finished out of the money at Del Mar (5: 2-1-2). FASHIONABLY FAST is on a three-race win streak and has hit the board in eight of 10 on a fast surface. ULTIMATE BANGO has some of the best numbers in the field but is making his first start on dirt, not a strong angle at just 12% for trainer Blake Heap. GRINNING TIGER posted the highest last race speed figure for this crew, but it was on grass. He's oh for two at Del Mar."
Perhaps Cary Grant was uninterested in horse racing, but we hope his namesake race is of interest to your bankroll.
Good luck at the races!
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