Racing at Del Mar with Marc Doche: Scherer Magic looks to pull third win out of hat in Best Pal

The second fort night by the sea closes with a surprising juvenile stand out in the $150,000 Best Pal Stakes (Grade II) sprinting 6 ½-furlongs on the main track, as 5-to-2 favorite Scherer Magic looks for consecutive graded stakes wins since debuting by romping to a 7 ¼-length maiden breaker in a $50,000 claimer.

The Iowa-bred son of Doneraile Court was claimed out of that debut by John Sadler and has continued to outrun his modest pedigree with sparkling morning activity since shipping south to Del Mar.

A morning trip to Sea World ahead of the races means we go to print early today before scratches so make sure to check Twitter (@mdoche) over the next few hours for any late changes to the tickets below caused by scratches.

We’re off to the races!

Pick 4 -

Leg 1 – Race 6 (7,8,12) – I’ve watched No. 7 Lady Katfish train like a star and she catches what appears to be a modest bunch for a maiden allowance at Del Mar. Exchange Rate wins with 15% of his first-time starters and the only experienced runner in the field was well-beaten in her lone start at Lone Star Park.

Potent trainers Bob Baffert and John Sadler are also worth inclusion with their first-timers No. 8 Magic Vixen and No. 12 Mechaya, who would need to drawn in from the also-eligible list.

Leg 2 – Race 7 (1,3,4,5,7,10) – No. 7 In the Stars is a classy Brazilian import that can crush this weak first-level allowance bunch if she’s ready for her U.S. debut.

No. 10 Deity is sure to be winging early and a threat to lead every step of the way, while No. 1 Miss Cato drops out of a solid effort in the American Oaks (Grade I), but moves to a not so solid barn.

No. 3 Last Sting, No. 4 Unusual Hottie and No. 5 Skinny Genes have shown consistency in modest races.

Leg 3 – Race 8 (1,2,4,8) – No. 4 Scherer Magic is an apparent stand out looking to make it a perfect 3-for-3 by daylight in his career, but we’ll double up with the inside pair of No. 1 Heir of Storm, No. 2 Moreno and No. 8 Know More.

Leg 4 – Race 9 (2,5,10,11,13) – No. 11 Coranto will be a short price to win the finale off a pair of solid efforts to begin his career, but No. 13 Chicago Hero could be lone speed breaking from the outside.

Add No. 2 Warren’s Cole on the drop, No. 5 Extra Fifty in his second at the level and first-time gelding No. 10 Willie Brown.

Recap – (7,8,12) w (1,3,4,5,7,10) w (1,2,4,8) w (2,5,10,11,13) – Total cost of ticket = $180

Yesterday’s Result – (-$142.50)

Total for current Del Mar meet – (+$335.45)

Total from 12/26/10 – 7/15/12 – (-$1,571.15)

Pick 5 –

Leg 1 – Race 1 (2,3,4,5) – A tricky $16,000 claiming sprint to start the card and we go four deep with No. 2 Max Cooper, No. 3 Dance With Gable, No. 4 Bet On Victor and No. 5 Man From Lagos.

Leg 2 – Race 2 (2,4,5,7) – No. 5 Causeithertz can make it three straight wins since moving from Humberto Ascanio to Baffert, but will had three more with No. 2 Temple’s Door, No. 5 Fire With Fire and No. 7 Major Art.

Leg 3 – Race 3 (1,6,7) – An uninspiring group of baby maiden claimers with No. 1 Rebolera, No. 6 Cat’sdoubledaygirl and No. 7 Snackable.

Leg 4 – Race 4 (1,5,9) – A much different group of maidens here with some potential stars lead by No. 1 Caminetto, who chased next out winner Jimmy Creed in his debut.

A pair of runners returning off a layoff are worth inclusion if the top pick struggles with the rail draw so we’ll include No. 5 Brother Francis and No. 9 King Maya.

Leg 5 – Race 5 (2,3,8) – Similar to the first race, a claiming race that could go many different ways, but we’ll settle with No. 8 Asset Play as our top pick in his third off the layoff after a runner-up effort on opening day.

No. 2 Capture the Call is always dangerous on the lead and is due for a good effort after flopping in his last and No. 3 Maximus Ruler drops to the bottom and stretches back out.

Recap – (2,3,4,5) w (2,4,5,7) w (1,6,7) w (1,5,9) w (2,3,8) – Total cost of ticket = $216

Yesterday’s Result – (-$108)

Total for current Del Mar meet – (+$16,698.45)

Total from 7/20/11 – 7/15/12 – (+$1,874.55)

Best Bet of the Day – Can now be found in the free analysis section at www.theracingedition.com along with an early Pick-4 ticket and a consensus box for the entire card.

Make sure to follow me on Twitter @mdoche for last minute changes caused by scratches and much more!

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For more Del Mar action check out Jarrod Horak’s Pick 6 Blog.

Good luck!