Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Friday 9/9/22

Starting at 6:00 p.m. ET with twilight racing, we have 8 races Friday at Del Mar. It's closing weekend "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. Americaredwhiteblu and Durante, Race 1

FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/5 and 5/1

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Race 1 is a Starter Allowance with 8 runners going 1-mile. The numberFire data shows the favorite Americaredwhiteblu (6/5) the projected winner ahead of Durante (5/1) and Mitico (8/1).

Americaredwhiteblue has has lost four straight times as the favorite. He finished runner-up last race and three of the finishers came back to win next race. Trainer Mark Glatt has won 6 of his last 7 with the favorite.

Durante will press the pace and try to challenge down the lane. Bright Leaf (4/1) returns from a 5-month layoff and he'll come from off the pace. The trainer-jockey combo of John Sadler and leading jockey Juan Hernandez have 8 wins in 20 starts.

2. La Peer and Shirley's Bane, Race 6

FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1 and 8/1

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Race 6 is a Maiden Special Weight for 2-year-old fillies going 1-mile on the turf. Classymademoiselle (8/1) and Shirley's Bane (8/1) are ones to consider by numberFire's projections. 'Classy' is winless in four starts and missed the money in a stakes race last out. Shirley's Ban is sired by Triple Crown winner Justify and makes her debut.

La Peer (3/1) is ridden by top jockey Flavien Prat for EPO trainer Phil D'Amato. She had a promising debut in a sprint but was blocked down the lane. She stretches out as a challenger to include.

3. Straighten Up and Kangaroo Court, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 8/5

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Race 7 is the $125,000 I'm Smokin' Stakes for Cal-bred 2-year-olds sprinting 6 furlongs. The favorites Straighten Up (5/2) and Kangaroo Court (8/5) and Giver Not a Taker (5/2) are the top picks according to numberFire's algorithm.

Kangaroo Court has a win and runner-up finish in two starts with increased speed figure of 95 last out in a wire-to-wire 14 length win. Abel Cedillo rides again.

Straighten Up will try to apply pressure, and he was a front-running debut winner in a similar Cal-bred stake. Giver Not a Take dominated Maidens by 7-lenghts and will sit off the two speed horses and try to pounce if the pace is too fast.