Bernier: How I'll play Del Mar for Sunday, July 30

Sunday’s card at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club features a pick six carryover of more than $161,000. Rather than a typical “How I’ll Play”, I’ll go over a few intriguing entrants in the sequence that you may want to consider if you’re diving into the carryover.

RACE 4 – FLEET TREAT
ALL OF A SUDDEN (3) for Steve Miyadi is interesting at what should be a square number. This daughter of Grazen makes her second start off the bench, and Miyadi has excelled over the past year with this type of move (FORMULATOR FACT: Past Year, Dirt, 2nd After Layoff, Sprint: 4/15 (8 ITM), $4.22 ROI). It’s also worth noting this filly was entered in a lesser race Friday and was scratched in favor of this spot.

RACE 5
ENCUMBERED (3) debuted in a stakes race for Simon Callaghan and now transitions to the turf. This son of Violence is a half-sibling to an Uncle Mo colt who has won twice on turf, and Callaghan has done this successfully over the past three years (FORMULATOR FACT: Past Three Years, Dirt to Turf, All Maidens: 4/12 (6 ITM), $5.81 ROI). This isn’t a horse that will be a “separator” as far as the pick six is concerned, but he’s certainly one to consider.

:: Christmas in July! Take 20% off PPs, Clocker Reports, and more

RACE 7
TO THE BAR (10) set legitimate fractions in his return to the races July 2 before fading late. Considering it was his first start in a calendar year, To the Bar ran very well for Ron Ellis and a forward move in his second start off the bench should be expected. Blackjackcat was the winner of that race at Santa Anita, and he returned to win his next start with a 96 Beyer Speed Figure. SKELTON PASS (2) could be a bit of a nuisance on the front end, but if To the Bar can either sit just off or clear to the front, he could get brave.

RACE 8 – CLEMENT L. HIRSCH
This isn’t breaking any news – if you’re playing the pick six, you must use STELLAR WIND (3). There’s nothing wrong with VALE DORI (2) for Bob Baffert, but it feels like the Beholder Mile proved that Stellar Wind is slightly better. The additional 1/16th of a mile in the Hirsch will work to Stellar Wind’s advantage, and she will be a single for me in the pick six.