Are you ready to see the future? The California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (CTBA) will be highlighting the two-year-olds of California in a sprint this Sunday. The CTBA Stakes will take place as Race 10 of the 11-race mega-card from Del Mar, going to post at 6:37 pm (ET).
This is a far cry from the eight races we’re usually getting from Del Mar. Ten babies will be running for the $125,000 purse. The distance for these two-year-old stakes will be 5 ½ furlongs. There should be no weather concerns as Del Mar is almost always lovely come summertime.
Of the contenders today, we will be highlighting several probable winners due to the fact that it’s hard to cap the two-year-olds. This race does have a heavy favorite, but I don’t think they are a slam dunk to win this here.
Betting Preview: (2) Absolutely Zero
This horse, by their speed figures alone, is the best of the bunch by far, and they are undefeated in two races, both at Santa Anita. This horse has the cruising speed to just sit right next to the front runner and pass them in the stretch.
Jockey Mario Gutierrez is winning at 6%. Trainer Doug O’Neill is winning at 22% for the meet. Workout times are unimpressive coming in. Morning line odds are 8/5. They seem to be the class for sure.
Betting Preview: (6) Chismosa
This horse is one for one at Del Mar in their career. Jockey Edgar Payeras is winless in nine starts at the meet, while trainer Rafael DeLeon is winning at a 25% clip. This horse seems to have a late kick, and they closed in to win at five furlongs here.
Workout times are faster than fast last out, so maybe they show more speed. Morning line odds are a great 12/1 for an undefeated horse. I think this long shot is super live here.
Betting Preview: (7) Sell the Dream
This one is the true wildcard as they are undefeated but won on the turf first out in comparison to all these dirt runners. Jockey Abel Cedillo is winning at 8% but is a better jockey.
Trainer Brian Koriner is winning at 13% at Del Mar. Their running style is that of a speedster, and they are quite fast. Morning line odds are 2/1, which seems low for someone who has never won on dirt. I think I am going to fade this one.
Betting Preview: (10) EZ Pharis
This one broke their maiden impressively and then took a third in the stake that the (2) won impressively. Both races, from a speed figure perspective, were solid. Jockey Tyler Baze is winning at 4%. Trainer Walther Solis is winless in eleven starts.
Their running style is of a pacer. Workout times are a bit slow coming in, though. Morning line odds are 6/1. Their experience, in general, is nice as they’ve got two races under their belt. I think I like them underneath here.
