Final Day Could Be Golden

The meeting ends today with the $100,000 Ralph M. Hinds Handicap holding center stage, and Reba’s Gold and Hot Market figure to get plenty of attention as they make their local debuts in the 1 1/8-mile feature. One look at the company they were keeping at Del Mar will make the case.

Reba’s Gold was freshened after setting the pace in the Californian at Hollywood Park in mid-June, when he was overpowered by the likes of Milwaukee Brew and Bosque Redondo, then ran well in his last appearance in the Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Handicap, finishing only a length behind a couple of very tough customers in Congaree and Kela.

If the Dan Hendricks trainee can run back to that effort around these tight bends, he should be hard to deny under David Flores.

He’ll no doubt have Hot Market as one of his primary targets, as this horse likes to run at the front.

Hot Market has come back to meet trainer Craig Lewis in the winner’s circle after five of his 14 starts, and came within a head of winning the Pat O’Brien at Del Mar in his most recent outing. Jose Valdivia Jr., who has been aboard for the last three victories, makes a rare visit to the fair as Hot Market makes his first attempt at nine furlongs.

If you subscribe to the “horse for course” theory, Sigfreto and Nates Colony make nice options. The former is unbeaten in two stakes appearances at this track, having won the Derby last season and the Phil D. Shepherd two weeks ago. Nates Colony has clicked in all three of his starts at this track and ran in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

The picks: 1. Crown O Lites. 2. Prideful. 3. Kate’n Amy. 4. Who Dis. 5. Broke The Slump. 6. Avie Cielo. 7. Trieste. 8. Profound Secret. 9. Minnesota Shuffle. 10. Calcupbound. 11. Rehabilitated. 12. Reba’s Gold. 13. Glow Of Gold.

Post time: 12:30 p.m.