Uncover the Next Racing Stars with Our Handicapping Insights

Del Mar Races

In the Saturday races at Del Mar, Romanesque made a significant impact. Acquired for a hefty $435,000 as a yearling, this Bob Baffert-trained juvenile showed speed from the start. Facing five rivals, he pressed and dueled with stablemate Rodriguez through fractions of 22.27 and 45.30 seconds. Down the homestretch, Romanesque gradually pulled away to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:15.91, earning a respectable 84 Beyer Speed Figure. There's clearly upside for this son of Practical Joke to earn much more money in the future.

On the other hand, Ultra Power suffered his second straight defeat, finishing fourth by 7 1/4 lengths in the 1 1/8-mile Native Diver (G3). As a result, he has been dropped from the watch list. In contrast, Skinner is a new addition. After a nearly one-year layoff, he launched a determined rally from last place to win the Native Diver by one length in 1:48.95. Last year as a 3-year-old, he had top-three finishes in the Native Diver, Santa Anita Derby (G1), and San Felipe (G2) around two turns. There's potential for Skinner to develop into a serious contender for the 2025 Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

Fair Grounds Entries

Montalcino is a lightly raced horse with a habit of defeating good ones. He debuted on Sept. 1 at Saratoga, pressing the pace to victory over Masmak and Hurricane Nelson. Then on Oct. 4, he set fractions of 21.61 and 43.79 seconds at Keeneland and won by six lengths over Banned for Life, who also went on to win a Churchill Downs allowance. Now, Montalcino will take on a larger and more competitive field in the six-furlong Thanksgiving Classic at Fair Grounds. With jockey Jose Ortiz on board, who has a 6-for-15 (40 percent) record to start the Fair Grounds meet, victory is within reach if Montalcino brings his A game.