Bernier: How I'll play Del Mar on Labor Day

Closing day of the Del Mar summer meeting features a two-day pick-six carryover of $547,421. The sequence begins with race 5, the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity, at 7:03 p.m. Eastern. Here's a quick look at some horses to consider using if you plan on diving into the deep end on closing day.

RACE 5 – Del Mar Futurity

There are three horses who will carry the majority of the action in the pick six: CHASING ACES (1), STRAIGHT FIRE (2), and KLIMT (6). Klimt is the only graded stakes winner in the field, and while he's much slower than the other two from a Beyer Speed Figure standpoint, there's a possibility that the inside two will hook up and set things up for him. But Chasing Aces and Straight Fire look as though they have superstar potential. There's a very real possibility that these two throw down throughout and go 1-2 the entire way.

RACE 6

DEFIANTLY (11) owns the highest last-out Beyer in the field (81) but doesn't seem to be improving tremendously, has a tough outside post, and hasn't been seen since the beginning of July at Belmont Park. On deeper tickets, he certainly should be used, but I'm interested in a bit of a price in this spot. HOLLYWOOD STRIKE (4) tries turf for the first time for trainer John Shirreffs, and based on his pedigree, he may improve over the grass. He's a full brother to a turf winner named Hollywood Idol, and he figures to be forwardly placed while switching from dirt to turf. If your budget allows, Hollywood Strike may be one to consider adding to your tickets.

RACE 7

SAINT DERMOT (3) looms as a logical favorite, and he's a must-use in pick-six plays. His most recent effort Aug. 7 was strong; he was beaten only a head by a horse who returned to win next out with an 87 Beyer. Saint Dermot was more than eight lengths clear of the third-place runner that day. A repeat of that performance makes him very tough to handle today. If you're looking for a bit of an outsider, perhaps BRIMSTONED (7) is the way to go. This horse makes his second start off a long layoff and races a route of ground on dirt for the first time since last November. His three dirt routes have all been strong, and if he's able to dial up one of those efforts, he'll have a puncher's chance.

RACE 8 – Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf

This stakes race for 2-year-old girls is a crapshoot, and you'll likely need to spread to feel comfortable navigating this leg. All of Doug O'Neill's fillies look legitimate in here; YOU MISSED IT (5) was narrowly defeated here July 29, and any sort of improvement makes her a serious threat. NOBLE DANCER (8) won her maiden in her career debut at Down Royal in Ireland on July 22 and gets Lasix for her North American debut. The presence of Rafael Bejarano should be viewed as a vote of confidence as well. SIMMY'S TEMPLE represents a strong pace-pressing entrant for O'Neill, and a win right back following her maiden score is possible. Others who look honest include WITH HONORS (13), RED LIVY (3), and AUNTJENN (2) on the stretch-out.

RACE 9

BIG GRAY ROCKET (8) ran a giant race in his career debut for Bob Baffert. After missing the break, this son of Tapit closed furiously and galloped out nicely. With a clean break, this colt likely gets the job done. He looms as a very heavy favorite and will be a single on many pick-six tickets.

RACE 10

The meeting wraps up with a starter allowance that features turfers who either have off form or are trying turf for the first time. I'm most interested in the horses drawn toward the outside. RADIO SILENT (8) and SPITFIRE (11) exit a common race Aug. 12, and the transition to turf may suit both of them well. Radio Silent is a half to Clear Attempt, who went 3 for 14 routing on grass, with a career-best Beyer of 95. Spitfire is a full to successful turf routers Dorsett and Miss Machiavelli, and while his turf debut was dreadful, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He may move up while getting back to the green. CANDY COWBOY (9) won his maiden off an enormous layoff and now tries turf for the first time. His dam, Western Ransom, was a solid turf router (3 for 6 lifetime), and he has multiple siblings who successfully routed on grass.