Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Friday 8/12/22

Starting at 7:00 p.m. ET with twilight racing, we have 8 races Friday 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. Court Snort, Race 1

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/5

Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

The day begins "Where the Turf Meets the Surf" with a Maiden race for state-bred 2-year-old fillies going 1-mile on the turf. The numberFire data projects the favorite Court Snort (8/5) to win over five rivals including Warren's Paradice (5/2).

Court Snort stretches out from a pair of Cal-bred turf sprints and drops from open company to Cal-bred. New hot rider Hector Isaac Berrios has won 6-of-20 starts at the meet.

Another well-bred filly is Warren's Paradice, who can improve coming from off-the-pace from his 4th place finish here three weeks ago and will be included underneath in exacta and trifecta betting at FanDuel Racing.

2. The Big Wam and Straighten Up, Race 6

FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5 and 6/5
Bet Now at TVG | Bet Now at FanDuel

Race 6 is the $125,000 Graduation Stakes for Cal-bred 2-year-olds sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs. The race is loaded with speed, and the two favorites drawing the most interest at FanDuel Racing will be The Big Wam (6/5) on the inside and Straighten Up (9/5) on the outside #8 post with HOF 57-year-old jockey Mike Smith riding.

The Big Wam is the top pick by numberFire's data ahead of Man Oh Man (5/1) and Straighten Up. The Big Wam broke his maiden as the heavy favorite three weeks ago at this track. He finished runner-up in a stakes race in May at Churchill Downs. The Del Mar meets leading jockey Juan Hernandez rides again and his horse has posted the top speed figure in this field.

Straighten Up is 1-for-1 and has a pair of strong workouts over the track including a 4 furlong bullet-best of 116 runners last week.

3. Quick Finish and Sunrise Journey, Race 8

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

Race 8 is a deep field of Cal-breds sprinting 6 furlongs. The Little H Man (9/2) is the tepid favorite of 12 runners. He won a highly rated starter allowance last out at Pleasanton and will come from off the pace.

But the numberFire data picks Quick Finish (5/1) to win, and he'll chase other targets in front. He's proven over the DMR track with three seconds from four starts.

Sunrise Journey (8/1) and Next Flight (12/1) are projected in-the-money finishers at FanDuel Racing. Sunrise Journey has 11 career wins, and the hard knocking 7-year-old has finished in-the-money in six of his last eight starts with consistent speed figures.