Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Monday 9/5/22

Starting at 4:00 p.m. ET, we have 10 races Monday at Del Mar.

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).

1. Written Dance and Pat's Paddock Pick, Race 1

FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1 and 9/5
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The Labor Day holiday program begins with a Maiden Claiming race for 2-year-old sprinting 6 furlongs. The numberFire projections have Written Dance (4/1) winning ahead of Vinny the Coin (8/1) and the favorite Pat's Paddock Pick (9/5).

Pat's Paddock Pick is expected to improve off a third-place finish. Written Dance makes his debut with a solid work pattern. He's a first-crop runner by Tapwrit.

2. Tom's Surprise, Race 5

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/5
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Race 5 is a Starter Allowance at 1-mile on the turf. The numberFire top pick Tom's Surprise (8/5) breaks from the outside No. 9 post. Big Buzz (4/1) and Alvaaro (7/2) complete the in-the-money finish.

Big Buzz has a win and third in a pair of starts. But Tom's Surprise is the class of the field who has three wins this year and faced better runners recently.

3. Chismosa and Big Hopes, Race 9

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 2/1
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Race 9 is the $125,000 Generous Portion Stakes for Cal-bred 2-year-old fillies sprinting 6 furlongs. Chismosa (5/2) is the preferred top pick of numberFire and class of field. She followed his last-to-first maiden win with a come-from-behind stakes win.

Big Hopes (2/1) with the meet's top jockey Juan Hernandez is one to include underneath in exacta and trifecta wagering. Electric Lettuce (10/1) is a numberFire longshot projected to hit the board along with E Z Pharis (8/1).