Bernier: How I'd play Del Mar for Saturday, Nov. 7

Saturday’s card at Del Mar is highlighted by the second running of the Kathryn Crosby Stakes, and I’ll incorporate that into my plays for the day. It’s looking like an early double/late double combination of plays for me, “Where the Turf Meets the Surf.”

RACE 1
GOOD FOR IT (1) exits a disappointing effort in the Barretts Juvenile at Los Alamitos in September, but it’s an effort which can be forgiven. It has been well documented that some horses either love or hate the racing surface at Los Al, and based on his most recent effort it’s safe to say Good for It hated the going. The winner of the Barretts Juvenile, Toews On Ice, returned to win a stakes at Santa Anita with an 83 Beyer Speed Figure, and the eighth-place runner that day also came back to win next out (Storming Candy, 72 Beyer in maiden victory at Del Mar). A replication of Good for It’s debut effort here on Aug. 23 would definitely make him a major contender.

RACE 2
THUNDERING GALE (5) makes her second start off the layoff for trainer Richard Baltas, and the stretch-out from 6 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles could prove beneficial. Her tactical speed will likely allow Mario Gutierrez to place her wherever he pleases, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her either sitting just off the lead or outright on it down the backside. LIGHT STRIKER (8) is an intriguing entrant in this spot for trainer Rafael Beccera. The outside post should prove useful for her, as her best gear seems to be when she’s allowed to sit a few lengths off the early pace. It’s also worth noting that this will only be her second lifetime start on turf (her first was a solid second back on June 18). She’s in terrific form at the moment and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her in the mix as the field turns for home.

DAILY DOUBLE: 1 with 5, 8

RACE 8
The Kathryn Crosby is the featured event on Saturday’s card, and it features a competitive field of eight. ENERGIA FRIBBY (6) will be making her second lifetime start in North America, and her stateside debut was a solid one in the Swingtime last month at Santa Anita. She finished full of run and gave off the impression that added ground will be her friend – and she’ll get an extra half-furlong to work with here. As long as the pace is honest on the front end, which it should be, Energia Fribby should be rolling down the lane late. BEAT OF THE DRUM (5) ran the race of her life at Santa Anita last month against inferior competition, but the fashion in which she did it was most impressive. After taking heat around the far turn, this daughter of Duke of Marmalade kicked home smartly. If she’s able to reproduce that effort she’ll be a tough customer here. The only real concern is that she may not be able to get such an easy lead with the likes of CHAULK O LATTEY (7) and FULL RANSOM (8) signed on.

RACE 9
BLUE COPPER (9) debuts for the tandem of Bob Hess Jr. and Kent Desormeaux, a powerful jockey/trainer combination. This son of More Than Ready has been working steadily leading up to his debut, and while he’ll debut for half his purchase price, it’s quite clear that he doesn’t need to be much in order to win his maiden against this group. TWISTED EARL (8) is an interesting runner for Mike Puype. This Twirling Candy gelding made his most recent start at Golden Gate Fields in late September going two turns on turf, and the turn-back/surface switch may prove to be the difference. He should have gained some stamina from that latest spin and he has shown in the past that he has enough early speed to be close to the pace.

DAILY DOUBLE: 5, 6 with 8, 9