Bernier: How I'll play Del Mar for Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017

Sunday's Del Mar card features the return of Santa Anita Oaks winner Paradise Woods. She's likely to be a heavy favorite in the Torrey Pines, so I'll look to be alive with her in a daily double, linking races five and six.

Race 5

There isn't a ton of speed signed on, especially for a turf sprint. THE PARTY FACTOR (1) tries turf for the first time breaking from the rail, and he could prove to be the controlling speed. The offspring of The Factor have done quite well on turf, so there's some hope that this Gomez trainee will be able to take the to grass. HITTERS PARK (6) has never passed a horse in his life, but there's a scenario in which he makes the front if The Party Factor doesn't break alertly and clear off. The turf debut for Hitters Park wasn't bad at all, and today he'll get the services of Hall of Famer Gary Stevens in the irons.

Race 6 - Torrey Pines

PARADISE WOODS (1) is strictly the horse to beat in this year's Torrey Pines. This Richard Mandella trainee went off as the favorite in this year's Kentucky Oaks, only to be hooked in a wild pace duel early and pay the price late. Breaking from the inside, it would seem as though Flavien Prat has one way to go, and that's to send hard from the inside. There is other speed in the race, but I'm not sure it's of the same quality as Paradise Woods. One could take the approach that if you're going to beat her, today is the day. I'm going the other way - I think she's going to be very tough to deal with in the Torrey Pines, and she'll be a single in all of my exotic wagers.