Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Thursday 8/4/22

Updated: Sep 10, 5:00pm UTC

Starting at 5:00 p.m. ET, we have 8 races Thursday 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 Racing's projections, these are the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today.

1. Heart of the Night and Happy Gal, Race 1

FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1 and 5/2

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The day begins "Where the Turf meets the Surf" with a 5 furlong sprint for 2-year-old Maidens on the turf. The numberFire projections like three babies if they draw in from Also Eligible list - Accelerina (8/1), Three Sands (8/1) and Pride of the Nile (10/1).

Heart of the Night (3/1) makes her debut with a pair of fast gate works in place. Happy Gal (5/2) ran a close third in her debut in Indiana, and top trainer Doug O'Neill now conditions her.

2. Hero Status, Race 4

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/5

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Race 4 is a Maiden Special Weight at 1-mile and Hero Status (8/5) is favored and the top pick of numberFire ahead of Palagio (5/2).

Three-year-old Hero Status makes just his fourth start and finished runner-up in his last two with improved 90's speed figures. He stretches out after those highly-rated sprint races and looks best.

3. Del Mar Drama and Woodbine Way, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1 and 3/1

Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 7 is an Allowance race for fillies and mares sprinting 5 furlongs on the turf. The numberFire data projects Del Mar Drama (4/1) to outduel Woodbine Way (3/1) and Stressed (4/1).

Woodbine Way had a troubled trip two starts back at Santa Anita, but her sprint wins back East prior showed enough speed to win this.

Del Mar Drama missed last out, but she finished in-the-money in eight straight prior races in California.