Bernier: How I'd play Del Mar on Sunday, Aug. 10

Sunday’s card at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club offers some nice opportunities throughout, and I’ll look to make a few plays over the course of the nine races.

Race 2

- Toowindytohaulrox figures to take his fair share of money in this spot, but I’m not completely sold that he’s best suited going a route of ground; he’s a short price that I’ll look to play against.

- Celtic Moon ran second in the Grade 2 Best Pal here at Del Mar on the Polytrack last year going 6 1/2 furlongs, and he’ll make his return to the races here in this spot. I’m always leery of horses returning off rather long layoffs (hasn’t been seen since September of last year) and trying to do something they’ve never done before, but at the very least, he’s an interesting runner who should be a square price.

- If Home School can shake loose early underneath Tyler Baze, he could be tough to catch; I’m hopeful a horse like Taelyns Prince, who is stretching out from sprints down the hill at Santa Anita, can keep him honest early and sap some of the energy out of him.

- I’vegotafeeling is the “X Factor” in this field – here’s a colt who didn’t do much running overseas but comes here to make his North American debut for a trainer (Simon Callaghan) who is more than capable of having these kinds of horses ready to fire. The fact that Mike Smith sees fit to take this mount makes him that much more intriguing.

- At the end of the day, the horse I’m looking to take a shot with here is Clever Royal; Clever Royal may not be of the same caliber as these horses (he’s exiting a claiming event), but we know he likes the surface here at Del Mar, and if things get testy up front, he’s one of the horses likely to be picking up the pieces late. I’ll be looking to play him across the board if he goes off at his morning line of 6-1 or greater.

Race 4

- He may not necessarily be a “sexy” pick, but I think the turn back from a mile to six furlongs and the transition from turf to synthetic will do Love Rules All wonders in the fourth race.

- I would anticipate jockey Victor Espinoza to have this son of Tribal Rule positioned just off the likely pacesetter Hadfunlastnight and prepared to get first run on the closers in the field – including the probable favorite Demonic.

- I think the 4-1 morning line for Love Rules All is a bit short, but if he goes off at 5-1 or greater, I’ll be looking to play him across the board.

Races 7, 8

- I loved her in her debut, and I think she’ll be even more prepared for her second career start; Diva Express goes out for trainer Mark Casse, who has done nothing but send out live runners during this Del Mar meet – the only problem for him has been he’s only got one victory to show for it. I expect her to be ready to roll in her second start under Stewart Elliott; if she goes off at odds of 5-2 or greater, I’ll look to play her to win. I’ll also look to key her in exactas, which you can find in “Del Mar Babies” for Aug. 10.

- I also will look to play a few daily doubles linking races seven and eight; in the seventh, I’ll use Diva Express, Maybellene, and Manahatta.

- In the John C. Mabee, I’ll look to create some value; obviously if Miss Serendipity runs her “A” race she’s the most likely winner – but I’m not going to use her simply because she won’t offer much as far as value is concerned.

- I’ll look to use Moulin de Mougin, Stormy Lucy, and Cozze Up Lady in the second half of the double; if any of them connect, the double should pay reasonably well.