Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Saturday 8/20/22

Starting at 5:00 p.m. ET, we have 10 races Saturday 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. Hejazi and Nullarbor, Race 5

FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/5 and 4/1

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Race 5 is a Maiden Special Weight for 2-year-olds sprinting 5 furlongs. Hejazi (6/5) is a best bet according to the numberFire projections, and Nullarbor (4/1) Loco Luna (10/1) complete the projected order of finish.

Expectations are high and the odds are very low for Hejazi, who was purchased for $3.55 million at a 2-year-old sale this spring. Controversial trainer Bob Baffert trains him along with Nullarbor, who has the meets leading jockey Juan Hernandez riding.

2. Kangaroo Court and Reign of Speed, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5 and 6/1

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Race 7 is a Maiden Special Weight for Cal-bred 2-year-olds sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs. The numberFire data shows Regulation Dazed (10/1) an upset winner over the favorite Kangaroo Court (9/5) and Tom Horn (4/1).

Kangaroo Court can set the pace, and she got collared at the wire in his last race, but still finished 7-lengths in front of the third place finisher.

Reign of Speed (6/1) is one to include who is improving and could challenge. She's owned by top handicapper Rob Henie. Reign of Speed finished behind Kangaroo Court last race, but improved her speed figure and adds blinkers.

3. Spendarella and Cairo Memories, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/5 and 3/1

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Race 8 is the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. A full field of 14 runners, and the numberFire projections pick Bellabel (5/1) to upset the favorite Spedarella (8/5) with Cairo Memories (3/1) also a challenger.

Bellabel has top turf jockey Umberto Rispoli riding for EPO trainer Phil D'Amato. She stretches out from a sharp 1-mile win last race.

Spendarella is the class of the field having won three U.S. starts. She also finished second in England last out in a Group 1. Cairo Memories won her debut at Del Mar last summer and ships back from a race in New York. She also won a pair of Grace 3 races at Santa Anita prior to that last race.