Bernier: How I'll play Del Mar on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018

The late pick-four sequence at Del Mar on Sunday appears to be a competitive one, and there are a couple of favorites throughout whom I’m not entirely sold on. I’ll hope to beat at least one of them with this ticket.

RACE 7

I’m basically taking the horses exiting the Daisycutter on Aug. 3:
• DESERT STEEL (1) has every right to improve in her second start off the bench for Simon Callaghan.
• MONGOLIAN SHOPPER (3) has the kind of early speed that is always dangerous going the five-furlong distance.
• GO ON MARY (6) has been razor-sharp recently, winning the Daisycutter most recently.
• SYMPOSIUM (7) likely needed a race before we see her best, and it’s hard to argue against the fact that she clearly enjoys sprinting on turf.
• RUBILINDA (2) comes in from the East Coast and now goes out for trainer Richard Mandella; she can certainly win, but this distance might be sharp, and this could be nothing more than a means to an end for her – I’m tossing her.

RACE 8

• STREET VISION (5) makes his second start off the layoff and his first after being claimed from the Jacobson barn – and that may be a positive, as that barn has been frigid all meet long at Del Mar.
• ACCEPTANCE (7) is a bit of a reach, but he has dirt races on his page that are more than capable of being competitive here; he’s a big price I want to use.
• DISTINCTIVE B (9) is the runner I’m most interested in, as his early foot is always dangerous; he’s done decent work at Del Mar in the past, and this distance is right up his alley.

:: Wager on Sunday's late pick four at Del Mar with DRF Bets

RACE 9 – TORREY PINES

• LEEMONA (4) was visually impressive in winning an N1X in her first start in Southern California for trainer Richard Baltas, and she looks to be a live shot in today’s featured event; her tactical speed makes her a serious threat.
• I liked the return effort from WELL HELLO (5) on July 19, and this stretch-out in distance doesn’t appear as though it will be an issue; Mike Smith has the mount for trainer Dan Blacker.
• JUST GRAZED ME (9) looks to be a serious racehorse, and while I respect her and will use her, I do think she’ll ultimately be a seven-furlong type; I’ve already circled the La Brea at the end of the year at Santa Anita for her.
• THIRTEEN SQUARED (2) is very logical for Baffert, but I’ve never been a fan and believe she needs the lead – a scenario I’m not totally convinced plays out with the other stretch-out speeds signed on; I’m pitching her out.

RACE 10

• I wouldn’t fault anyone for spreading deep in the finale, but the DRF Clocker Report helped me hone in on one horse to key: FLYNN (6); he’s shown good early foot in the past, and the blinkers were removed for his most recent workout, in which he was best over a recent maiden winner.

THE PLAY: 1,3,6,7 / 5,7,9 / 4,5,9 / 6