Bernier: How I'll play Del Mar on Saturday, Aug. 19

Saturday’s card at Del Mar is fantastic, featuring three graded stakes races, highlighted by the Grade 1 Pacific Classic. The Pacific Classic is headlined by the highest-rated horse in the world, Arrogate; Arrogate’s most recent start in the San Diego Handicap was an unmitigated disaster, so it will be fascinating to see which Arrogate we get on Saturday – both from a racing and wagering standpoint. I’m most interested in betting the Del Mar Handicap, which happens to be the race carded just before the Pacific Classic.

RACE 7 – DEL MAR HANDICAP

The Del Mar Handicap seems incredibly straightforward to me – and perhaps I’m making a mistake approaching it this way. I think the best horse in the race is ITSINTHEPOST (5), and the tactical speed he brings to the table makes him a serious threat in any long-distance race in Southern California. ASHLEYLUVSSUGAR (8) feels like the most consistent runner in the race, but I fear he’s lost a bit of zip on his fastball this year. HUNT (11) is obviously dangerous for Phil D’Amato, but I don’t think the 11-furlong distance of Saturday’s race is going to work to his advantage. This feels like a rare instance where I’m perfectly content taking two of the shorter prices in the race and hammering a cold exacta.

THE PLAY

$50 Exacta: ITSINTHEPOST (5) / ASHLEYLUVSSUGAR (8)