Del Mar Racing Dudes Three Stars of the Week: Meets Officially Begin at Saratoga, Del Mar July 19, 2021 Horses break from the gate in Saratoga's first race of the 2021 meet (Credit: NYRA) Del Mar Racing Dudes Three Stars of the Week: Meets Officially Begin at Saratoga, Del Mar July 19, 2021 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article The 2021 meets at Saratoga and Del Mar officialy began this past weekend, and with fans allowed to attend for the first time in 2 years, both tracks enjoyed record-breaking Opening Day handles. The stars on the track were just as exciting and made for tough decisions. For the first time in years, we have a tie at the top, too!Read more in our latest Three Stars of the Week: Full Card Plays Now Available There’s a reason we’re the #1 trusted source for premium racing picks & info. Find Out Why 1. Hot Rod Charlie & MandalounAn exciting stretch-run throwdown in Saturday’s Haskell Stakes (G1) between Hot Rod Charlie, Mandaloun, and Midnight Bourbon was nearly marred by tragedy after Hot Rod Charlie came over on Midnight Bourbon, causing that horse to clip heels, stuimble, and dismount jockey Paco Lopez. Stewards held an inquiry before ruling to disqualify Hot Rod Charlie – who crossed the wire first by a nose – and place him last. While fans and pundits debate the decision, one thing was clear: the battle Hot Rod Charlie and Mandaloun put on in the stretch was too close to call for us to separate, so they share top honors this week. 2. AlthiqaWhat’s old was new again Saturday at Saratoga in the Diana Stakes (G1), when the Godolphin homebred Althiqa rallied late past her Charlie Appleby stablemate Summer Romance while making a laughingstock of the American-based female turfers. Last month, the same exact scenario played out at Belmont Park in the Just a Game Stakes (G1). At this point, these are clearly two of the top choices in this division as we take an early look ahead at the early November Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Althiqa, Summer Romance Repeat Just a Game Finish in Diana 3. Golden PalSaratoga’s Opening Day card on Thursday kicked things off with a bang when Golden Pal turned the Quick Call Stakes (G3) into an absolute laugher. Wesley Ward waited until July to bring back the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) champion, and the Uncle Mo colt looked more than ready to run. The year-end championships remain the ultimate goal, but Ward will have plenty of fun placing him in winnable spots until then.
College Football Week 11 and NFL Week 10 Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 214 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Official Breeders’ Cup 2024 Picks | Blinkers Off 692 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for the 41st… Read More
Jon White Breeders’ Cup 2024 Interview and Picks | Blinkers Off 691 The Racing Dudes interview Jon White, former Santa Anita, Del… Read More
Breeders’ Cup Classic and Football Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 213 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Breeders’ Cup 2024 Pre-Entries Analysis | Blinkers Off 690 The Racing Dudes dive into the 2024 Breeders’ Cup pre-entries… Read More
Breeders’ Cup 2024 Top 5 Performances Aaron gives his Top 5 Breeders’ Cup performances from the… Read More
Who is the 2024 3-Year-Old Male of the Year? Aaron gives his thoughts on who should be the 2024… Read More
College Football Week 11 and NFL Week 10 Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 214 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More