Brad Free

The turf rails were put up Friday at Del Mar, and longshot front-runners stole a pair. Is more of the same in store this weekend? The turf rails were down the first seven days of racing, during which time not a single grass race at a mile, or a mile and a sixteenth, was won by the pacesetter. That was 15 races through Thursday, none won wire to wire. But when the rails were put up Friday (seven feet), the profile changed immediately. Jet Set Girl made the lead in race 3, slowed down the pace, and was gone at $19.60.

First post Friday at Del Mar is late afternoon. How will the track play, and is there anything worth betting? The main track on Thursday was not the same Polytrack from the first six days of the meet. Speed was better Thursday than any time this meet. The $18-20,000 claiming mare Malusita set a blazing pace in race 2, and won by more than five lengths. The $20,000 maiden-claiming filly Sheskey set a relatively strong pace in race 3, and won by two and a quarter lengths.

The eight-race card Thursday at Del Mar appears logical, with legitimate favorites in races 5 and 7. The only drawback facing Gallatin’s Run and All Star Heart is betting.  Both are listed at 5-2, which is about fair. The uneasy feeling is both might go shorter. As for handicapping creativity on Thursday, three Del Mar races with price-horses merit consideration. In race 3, Smilin’ From Above is 6-1 following a better-than-looked effort last out. She’s a maiden-20 going two turns.

The handicap division in California has been knocked to its knees. First Dude is retired. Twirling Candy might return to grass. Or, he might ship to Saratoga. “We’ve got three or four races we’re looking at, and we’re not committed to anything,” trainer John Sadler said Wednesday at Del Mar. Setsuko is eligible for non-winners other than, although that may change Friday when he starts favored in the Cougar II Handicap.

The handicapping notebook fills up quickly in summer, with stuff like this … # Sure, new bets are fun. But no thanks Saturday to Del Mar’s head-to-head wager in the Eddie Read. Caracortado at odds-on, or Acclamation at even-money, is not my cup of tea. Those are estimated odds, head-to-head only. # On the other hand, the 5-1 morning line on front-runner Celtic Princess is mighty appealing. Come and catch her.