Bernier: How I'll play Del Mar for Saturday, Nov. 12
Here are horses to consider while constructing exotic wagers on opening Saturday of the 2016 Bing Crosby meet at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.
RACE 4 – LET IT RIDE STAKES
CAMINO DEL PARAISO (1) has rattled off three consecutive victories after beginning his career 0 for 6, and he figures to be a square price in this restricted-stakes event. He may be a bit light on the Beyer Speed Figure scale when compared to his competitors, but the stalking gear he’s shown off in each of his past three starts makes him very dangerous in a spot like this. The presence of CURLIN RULES (3), DEFIANTLY (4) and LITTLE SCOTTY (2) in this race should ensure a lively pace. Look for Camino Del Paraiso to sit in just behind those three and ideally get the jump on BARHANPOUR (5) and MITTERSILL (6). I’ll consider Camino Del Paraiso a solid value play in exotic wagers at odds of 6-1 or greater.
RACE 6 – CLAIMING $25,000
While INDYGO BO (6) is technically my “pick” in the race, I’m more interested in using KRISTI’S COPILOT (9) exotically. Tom Bell ran this gelding down the hill most recently in what should probably be viewed as nothing more than a prep for a spot such as this. Kristi’s Copilot ran a very credible second here at Del Mar going two turns Aug. 11, and a replica of that effort makes him a legitimate player here at a nice price. It doesn’t appear there’s a ton of pace signed on here, so Brice Blanc should be able to work out a nice stalking trip aboard Kristi’s Copilot. He’s certainly not the likeliest of winners, but I’m hopeful that he can hit the board at odds of 9-1 or greater.
RACE 7 – CLAIMING $16,000
NON-WINNERS OF THREE LIFETIME
A truly wide-open affair, I’m looking to lean on the kind of horse I’d usually throw out completely. HYE I’M JACK (5) ran a credible third most recently when at this level, but that doesn’t truly tell the tale of the race. This gelding trained by Doug O’Neill was very late to change leads, but once he did he finished with real interest. One could argue that had he changed leads when he was supposed to, he would have won the race. I’m also considering the early foot signed on in this event; he should work out a lovely mid-pack trip and could prove difficult to fend off in the late stages. He’ll be included in all my plays at odds of 5-1 or better.
