Bernier: Del Mar pick three play for Wednesday, Sept. 3

Pick three, races 6-8

RACE 6

- Conquest Bespoke will be making his first start going two turns on the turfin a stakes race, which is never easy for any horse to do. You have to think the connections believe this one has a world of talent, especially if Mike Smith is taking the mount for the unveiling. This son of Speightstown will be my lone “A” in the first leg of this pick three.

A: 7) Conquest Bespoke
B: 2) Papacoolpapacool, 3) Dallas Skyline, 9) Sky Preacher
C: 1) Daddy D T

RACE 7

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- I expect California’s two biggest names in the training game to dominate this field, so they’ll be my only two “A”s.

- Jerry Hollendorfer sends out Cougar Country for the first time with Rafael Bejarano aboard. This colt had been doing almost all of his training over dirt until he came to Del Mar and worked from the gate on Aug. 30 – a drill that leads me to believe he’s ready to fire a solid effort at first asking.

- Bob Baffert sends out Fame and Power for Juddmonte Farms, and based on his work tab it appears as though he’s set and ready to roll here.

A: 2) Cougar Country, 6) Fame and Power
B: NONE
C: 9) Smuggler Union

RACE 8

- As stated in “Del Mar Babies,” I think the most talented runner in the Del Mar Futurity is Iron Fist. He has some issues that he needs to work out but at the end of the day I think his talent will likely lead him to victory.

- Oh Newman is the most intriguing runner to me in the field. He’ll be at the mercy of race shape, but the way he closed in his debut would lead one to believe he’ll be flying late.

- Skyway is the horse to beat off of his nice victory in the Grade 2 Best Pal. He figures to work out a nice trip underneath new pilot Corey Nakatani and should have every opportunity to get the job done.

A: 2) Oh Newman, 5) Iron Fist, 9) Skyway
B: 1) American Pharaoh, 6) Henry’s Holiday, 7) Red Button, 8) Holiday Camp
C: NONE