Let It Ride Stakes Picks

By Jarrod Horak

Del Mar’s Bing Crosby Season kicks off on Friday, Nov. 10 and this post features Let It Ride Stakes picks. The $75,000 event for sophomore males traveling one mile on the turf course is the 7th race on opening day. 

Let It Ride Stakes Final Time Ratings

Dandy Man Shines (IRE) is the 8-5 morning line favorite. He earned the top Today’s Racing Digest Final Time Rating in his flat mile maiden victory at Del Mar on Sept. 9. He is a strong win contender under Umberto Rispoli but he will not offer much wagering value. 

Calm Sea and Camilo both earned 131 Final Ratings in their maiden victories and the latter might have more upside for Jonathan Thomas. He ran a quality race in a runner-up finish in a turf route at Keeneland in the spring, and returned with a sharp extended sprint victory on all-weather ground at Woodbine on Oct. 7. Flavien Prat is his new rider and the tactical gelding figures to get the jump on the closers. 

Sharp Aza Tack and Ah Jeez are both trained by Doug O’Neill. Looking at their overall form, both seem most effective around one turn.

I am not sure what to do about Smart Mo. He stalked and gamely scored by a head in his flat mile dirt debut at Santa Anita on May 26. He lost all four starts since. Three of those were stakes races including a 7th of 8 in his lone turf try in the Grade 3 La Jolla. Juan Hernandez takes the call and he probably deserves another chance on turf. 

Let It Ride Stakes Picks

The Let It Ride Stakes is the first race in my Horse of the Day video series. I will cover one race each day during the 13-day Del Mar Bing Crosby Season, and the bulk of my videos will include stakes action. Check out my Let It Ride video below.