Less than a full racing week into the Del Mar summer meet, one thing is clear: It pays to be forwardly placed on the turf course. I like a pick-three sequence that is bookended by stakes races Sunday – the Wickerr and the Eddie Read. Seeing how the turf has played over the first few days, I’ve had to alter my handicapping slightly and take race shape into consideration even more; horses who are forwardly placed will get a legitimate upgrade, and horses I was very interested in playing who are deep closers must be downgraded slightly. Here’s a look at the pick-three sequence. RACE 6 – WICKERR Three mains and two backups to kick things off: • FOREVER JUANITO (2) would have been a fringe add for me before seeing the way this turf has played; at a giant price, he’s dangerous considering his early speed. • EDITORE (6) was and still is my pick, but it’s hard to deny that he may be up against it from a track-flow standpoint; his effort in the San Francisco Mile makes him a major threat here. • BIG SCORE (9) has done well off the bench in the past and relishes the one-mile distance; it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him fire off the bench • Backups include CONQUEST TSUNAMI (11) and BOMBARD (14). RACE 7 • Based on the buzz and the workout reports concerning MOTHER MOTHER (3), it feels like it’s her race to lose in her career debut for Bob Baffert; she most recently held her own with Vale Dori, who, even as a shell of herself, would bury 2-year-old maidens. • The lone backup is TAPWATER (8), but it seems like the general consensus is that she’ll show her best when allowed to stretch out to a route of ground. RACE 8 – EDDIE READ Three mains and two backups to wrap things up: • SHARP SAMURAI (5) may be the most likely winner of the race, and that’s saying something considering the strength of this field; his tactical speed is dangerous, and his return effort was sensational, albeit against weaker company. • ITSINTHEPOST (9) is one of my all-time favorites, but this could be a scenario where he’s using this race as a springboard to a longer race later in the Del Mar meeting, like the Del Mar Handicap. • FASHION BUSINESS (11) is the horse I was most looking forward to betting in the Eddie Read, but the way the turf has played thus far is forcing me to think twice about his chances; his effort in the Manhattan was better than it looks on paper, and it came against arguably better competition. • Backups include HUNT (7) and PRIME ATTRACTION (10).