Bernier: How I'd play Del Mar on Sunday, Nov. 29
The early double on closing-day Sunday at Del Mar features a couple of horses I’m very intrigued by. I’ll play the early double as well as the juvenile stakes race in the middle of the card, the Cecil B. DeMille.
Early double
Race 1
SUNDAR DRUMS (2) got hooked in a three-way pace duel in his most recent start, and that led to his demise that day. He was the only horse to finish reasonably close to the front from said speed duel, and the race flow of today’s opener looks completely different. There’s a fair chance he’s loose on the lead, and he just might be able to wire this field.
Race 2
WITH A TWIST (4) was tremendous in her most recent start, and if she can replicate that effort, she’ll be very tough to beat. This 7-year-old mare made a huge move around the far turn Nov. 7 and carried on very nicely down the lane. She figures to be a handful against these, even if she is stepping up in class from $32,000 claimers to $50,000 claimers today.
Double: 2 / 4
Cecil B. DeMille Stakes
If the debut of NINETY ONE ASSAULT (6) was any indication of his true ability, he could become a very nice turf horse. Although he couldn’t quite get to TUSK (3) at Del Mar on Nov. 8, he made a very impressive move around the far turn and carried on willingly down the lane. Considering that it was his first start, it was very promising to see how professional he was. In a rather wide-open affair, he figures to offer solid value, ideally in the 6-1 range.