Bernier: How I'll play Del Mar for Sunday, July 24
Race 1
Knowing that I’m going to be quite thin over the next three legs of the pick five at Del Mar, I’ve afforded myself the opportunity to spread in this spot – and why not spread as deep as I possibly can? I’ll fish for a price in Sunday’s opener by buying it. I’ll take all seven of them.
Race 2
Although it’s a short field, this turf race is loaded with early foot. In her most recent start, SINGING KITTY (3) was much too close to the pace and ultimately paid the price. Look for Rafael Bejarano to take her back off the pace battle and come with one run from the back of the pack. Her best race makes her competitive against this bunch, and she’s likely to slip through the cracks from a wagering perspective.
Race 3
IDEAL (2) plummets in class and stretches out in distance to a route of ground for the second time in his career for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. While Ideal has never sat off a horse successfully in the past, it would seem likely that Martin Garcia would allow a horse like STORM THE SHORE (5) to clear off and set the tone. The paired up Beyers for Ideal are a positive, and a forward move for him on the stretch-out wouldn’t be shocking – look for an improved effort going two turns for this son of Super Saver.
Race 4
The scratch of Hoppertunity makes the Cougar II Handicap less intriguing from a gambling standpoint however it does allow HARD ACES (5) to take center stage. This John Sadler trainee has always given off the impression that he’s a true stayer, and the 1- furlong distance of the Cougar should play to his advantage. Again – a short price that likely won’t offer much from an individual race point of view (should he prevail), but certainly a must-use in the early pick five.
Race 5
MYSTIC KID (3) tried dirt in his debut for Robertino Diodoro at Santa Anita and today stretches out on grass. His pedigree would suggest longer and grass will suit him well, as he’s by Lemon Drop Kid out of a mare who was second in the Grade 3 Miss Grillo as a 2-year-old. SUPER ECHELON (5) stretches out for his second lifetime start, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him flourish (or at the very least improve) going long on grass. THREE ECLIPSE (8) stretches out for his second lifetime start and transitions from synthetic to turf. His sire, Gio Ponti, was a true router and this horse should appreciate the added real estate.
:: See Matt Bernier’s pick five play in DRF TicketMaker and bet it with DRF Bets