Bernier: How I'd play Del Mar on Sunday, Nov. 15
Sunday’s card at Del Mar doesn’t whet the appetite in a major way, but there are a few interesting opportunities for horseplayers. I’ll look to play a midcard daily double as well as the Sunday feature, the Desi Arnaz Stakes.
RACE 4
URLACHER (7) continues to improve in each start, and the second route of his career could prove to be the tipping point. Last time out, he had to face a horse named Mor Spirit for Bob Baffert – a horse who won his maiden with a 92 Beyer Speed Figure. The two-turn experience could prove to be the difference maker for this son of Discreet Cat (who I’ve never truly thought of as a two-turn sire), and the rest of the field will need to run the race of their lives to come close to him.
RACE 5
It may appear as though AFFLUENT ASSET (6) has become a bit of a career maiden after nine starts, but the turnback from one mile to seven furlongs could be the difference maker Sunday. Two horses have come out of that maiden special affair Oct. 8 at Santa Anita to win (I’ll Play My Hand, 70 Beyer; Born to Serve, 66 Beyer), and there is no reason that this daughter of Exchange Rate won’t benefit from the turnback in distance. WHERE’S BUBBA (10) stretches out for the first time, and jockey Tyler Baze likely will use this son of Bertrando’s early speed to his advantage. If he proves to be too difficult to head early on, he could be very difficult to overtake, especially since speed has done quite well on the main track at this meet, whether it’s in a sprint or a route.
DAILY DOUBLE: 7 / 6, 10
RACE 8
There are three horses in the Desi Arnaz who I’m most intrigued by, most notably LUCKY FOLIE (3). Lucky Folie contested a sprint route in his most recent start and paid the price. The turnback and transfer from turf to dirt should prove most beneficial for this daughter of Distorted Humor. I’ll look to key this filly around two other fillies – STREET FANCY (2) and PRETTY N COOL (7). Of the two, Pretty N Cool might be the best, but I’m concerned about her overall ability. Conversely, I think Street Fancy is a filly with tremendous upside. Not only does Mike Smith maintain the mount, but she’s coming into this graded stakes on the heels of her debut score. She looks like she could be a decent sort, and I’ll look to use her throughout my wagers.
TRIFECTAS:
3 / 2,7 / 2,7
2,7 / 3 / 2,7
2,7 / 2,7 / 3