The summer season at Del Mar Racetrack kicks off this weekend, and as is always the case here at this storied track, the first featured race is the Grade 1 Eddie Read Stakes. There are only seven turfers entered into this one, but this is still, without any doubt, the best race of the weekend.
ODDS ANALYSIS
1: Twentytwentyvision 6/1
2: Gabriel Charles 5/1
3: Midnight Storm 8/5
4: Power Ped 8/1
5: Big Cazanova 12/1
6: Maltes 15/1
7: Finnegans Wake 2/1
The big question here is what to make of Finnegans Wake, who has been on and off of the grass over the course of his entire career. Prime Power suggests that he is the second best horse in this field to the favorite, Midnight Storm, but no one doubts the fact that Finnegans Wake could be the most dangerous pony on the track on Saturday with over $1.4 million in career earnings just on the turf in his career.
The longshots of Big Cazanova and Maltes aren't expected to compete in this, and with the proper amount of gumption, if you can figure out which one of the five of Twentytwentyvision, Gabriel Charles, Midnight Storm, Power Ped or Finnegans Wake won't ultimately finish in the top four, you could put together a really nice superfecta.
FAVORITE TO FOLLOW
Whereas Finnegans Wake is the experienced horse here, we prefer the favorite, Midnight Storm. Here we have a frontrunner of a horse that has ultimately stayed up at the top of the field when he has gotten there virtually every time he has raced.
We know that his career best Beyer Speed Rating of 101 might not cut it to win this one, but any time you have a colt that has three wins and a second place finish on the dirt in his career, you have to take notice.
UNDERDOG TO WATCH
Del Mar Derby winner, Gabriel Charles has a home away from home here on this track, and being back on the grass which he has won on before could really help him.
It feels like trainer Jeff Mullins made the right call by exclusively putting Gabriel Charles on the turf for his career, and he has been rewarded with nothing but on the board finishes in his six tries as a result. We're a little bothered by the lack of competition he has run against, but Gabriel Charles can most certainly be a factor here coming off of the pace.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
It's still all about Midnight Storm for us. That speed should get him to the front of the field, and we don't think he is ultimately going to be run down by any of the other contenders.
Gabriel Charles will put on his charge at the end of the race, as could recently strong closer, Twentytwentyvision. Of course, Finnegans Wake cannot be counted out either.
However, we really wonder if successive fourth place finishes for Finnegans Wake signals the end for him as a top flight racer.
If that is the case, Midnight Storm should be the odds-on favorite in this field. Anything less than that, and we're going to be all over the No. 3 on Saturday.
Play Midnight Storm to win the Eddie Read Stakes
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