Xpressbet writer Jeff Siegel offers his top plays for Friday.
Del Mar Race No. 6 (6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT)
#7 Love My Jimmy (7-2)
Was disappointing in a mixed breed allowance sprint at Los Alamitos two weeks ago but drops into an $8,000 claimer today and is reunited with “win rider” Edwin Maldonado, so we can expect the Bob Hess, Jr.-trained gelding to return to form in this modest bottom rung affair. A six-time winner from just 18 starts, the son of Tapiture catches a favorable pace scenario and should be on or near the lead throughout. At 7-2 on the morning line, he offers value in the Win pool and a good Exacta partner with the race’s other main player, #3 Oil Can Knight (7-2).
Del Mar Race No. 7 (6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT)
#2 One Silk Stocking (5-2)
Stretching out for the first time to a distance that should be within her range, this Doug O’Neill-trained filly earned a career top speed figure in her most recent outing when an excellent runner-up in a similar starter allowance event last month at Santa Anita and is properly priced at 5-2 on the morning line. In a race that projects to have a modest early pace, she should be on or near the lead throughout along with the race’s two other main players, #4 Flame McGoon (3-1) and #6 Teen Drama (8-1), both of whom should be used in Exactas with our top pick.