Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Friday 8/19/22

Starting at 6:00 p.m. ET with twilight racing, we have 8 races Friday at Del Mar "Where the Turf meets the Surf."

As always, check the program for scratches and changes, and monitor the weather and track conditions.

(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions).

Del Mar Betting

According to numberFire horse racing projections, these are the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today.

1. The Reign Song and It's Saul Right, Race 2

FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1 and 5/2

Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 2 is a Maiden Claiming race for 2-year-old Cal-bred fillies sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs. The numberFire data projects The Reign Song (4/1) to win with It's Saul Right (5/2) a top challenger along with longshot Ruff Ride (12/1).

It's Saul Right continues her growth and improvement after finishing second by a head last race against similar state-bred runners. She finished in front of The Reign Song in a race in May, but 'Song' has improved since.

2. Fort Moultrie and Cosmo, Race 3

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 3/1

Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 3 is a Starter Allowance at 1-mile on the turf. The three top challengers according to the numberFire algorithm are Cosmo (3/1), Fort Moultrie (5/2) and Dominant Soul (6/1).

Fort Moultrie is an off the pace runner with leading jockey Juan Hernandez riding him for the first time for new EPO trainer Phil D'Amato. He's off a layoff since May but has shown speed. Fout Moultrie ships in from out-of-state and is eligible for the 'ship and win' bonus money awarded to owners and trainers who bring their runners to the seaside oval for the summer.

Cosmo stretches out and switches to his preferred grass surface and has a first and second place finish earlier this year.

3. Neige Blanche, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/5

Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 7 is the $100,000 CTT and TOC Stakes for fillies and mares going 1 3/8 miles on the turf. The heavy favorite and top pick by numberFire's data is Neige Blanche (4/5) with top jockey Juan Hernandez riding.

Neige Blanche has been the dominant female marathon specialist in California for the past year. She won this $100k stake last summer, and is 5-for-5 going 1 3/8 miles or longer in the U.S.

Sister O'Toole (6/1) ships from the East Coast following a runner-up finish in a G3 marathon, and she will be closing late as one to include in exacta and trifecta bets at FanDuel Racing.