Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Friday 7/22/22

Starting at 5:00 p.m. ET, we have 10 races at Del Mar on Opening Day Friday.

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. Smokin Cheena and Danzing Cat, Race 5

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 4/1
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 5 is a Maiden Special Weight for Cal-bred 2-year-old fillies sprinting 5 furlongs. The numberFire data projects Smokin Cheena (5/2) to get into the winners circle following a pair of runner-up finishes the past two months.

Danzing Cat (4/1), a son of multiple graded stakes winner Danzig Candy, and Chedda Cash (4/1) make their debuts and are working fast in morning training.

2. Castle Leach and MacKinnon, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/1 and 5/2
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 8 is the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1-mile on the turf. The numberFire projection expects the two favorites to decide the race, Balnikhov (3/1) and Mackinnon (5/2), who breaks from the rail.

Horse Racing Nation (HRN) notes that with the rail at 0 feet, it is really tough for a pace and up-close pressers to prevail for the win. That is especially true when you get a field this size of 12-14 runners and the pace projected to be hot and highly pressured.

Along with the two favorites, HRN Super Screener analysis also rates Castle Leoch (8/1) and Boise (15/1) top win contenders who offer clear value to include in exacta and trifecta wagering.

3. Murray and Exaulted, Race 9

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 4/1
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 9 is an Allowance race at 6 1/2 furlongs with a full field of 12 runners.
The numberFire likes Murray (7/2) and massive colt Exaulted (4.1) to determine the winner with the latter off a comeback fourth place finish following a year away from racing.

Murray had a debut romp at Del Mar last summer as a 2-year-old, and then missed the board in his Grade 1 debut. But this son of KY Derby winner Street Sense is should fire on debut and has a bullet-best workout leading into his 2022 debut.