Del Mar Horse Racing Picks for Saturday 7/30/22

Starting at 5:00 p.m. ET, we have 11 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 Racing's projections, these are the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today.

1. Hard to Figure and Game Time, Race 6

FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1 and 6/1

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Race 6 is a Maiden Special Weight for baby 2-year-olds sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs. The numberFire projection picks two Bob Baffert-trained favorites Newgate (8/5) and Hard to Figure (3/1) with Game Time (6/1) in the mix.

Baffert's runners both debut, and Hard to Figure showed slightly more speed in tandem training last weekend. She's also ridden by the meet's leading jockey, Juan Hernandez.

Game Time is sired by Not The Time, and he's trained by John Sadler, along with Riverside (12/1).

2. Bagboss and Shaaz, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/1 and 7/2

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Race 8 is the $400,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) with 10 runners sprinting 6 furlongs. No clear favorite, and Shaaz (7/2) is one to watch with a bullet work since finishing third in a Grade 1 race in May with his top 109 speed figure. Shaaz is a son of Uncle Mo and he's won his other three starts.

Bagboss (8/1), a strong son of Speightstown with top jockey Umberto Rispoli riding, has speed and versatility and has shown it with a pair of recent wins at Churchill Downs and four-straight triple-digit speed figures. He's won 3-of-8 starts with four other runner-up finishes, and likely gets bet down from his morning line odds.

3. Defunded and Tripoli, Race 10

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/1 and 6/1

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Race 10 is the $300,000 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles. A solid field of nine proven winners, and Country Grammer (5/2) will take bets as the favorite and proven best horse in the field. He's conditioned by controversial trainer Bob Baffert, who also saddles improved front-runner Defunded (5/1).

Defunded has finished first or second in five straight starts including runner-up last out in May in the Grade 1. Defunded finished well in front of race favorite Royal Ship (4/1), who returns here looking for better footing. Kentucky Derby default winner Mandaloun (4/1) will also take money and should improve off a fourth-place finish last race and second race back from Saudi Arabia.

Country Grammer is a multiple Grade 1 winner who last race in March with a win in the Dubai World Cup. He prefers a longer distance, however. Tripoli (6/1) is a veteran runner for trainer John Sadler who won the Grade 1 Pacific Classic here last summer with a top 111 speed figure. He missed the board in the Breeders' Cup Classic, and was then sidelined by a knee chip. First race back last month was a fourth place finish in a Grade 3 race and he'll be looking to move from off the pace.