Bernier: Pick three play for Del Mar on Saturday, Nov. 29

My focus Saturday is at Aqueduct, but the late pick three at Del Mar intrigues me enough to throw in a ticket – with the obvious highlight of the sequence being California Chrome’s debut on grass in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby.

Race 7

OSCILLATOR (8) takes a major step up the ladder in the claiming ranks following her nice score here earlier in the meet, but there’s no denying she’s currently in sharp form and that she loves synthetic surfaces (in the money in 6 of 7 career starts on synthetic). If she replicates her latest effort, she’ll be a worthy adversary for the rest of the fillies and mares entered here.

A: 8
B: 2, 3
C: 5

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Race 8

CALIFORNIA CHROME (5) is the obvious headliner in the Hollywood Derby, but I wouldn’t argue with anyone trying to take a stab against him, considering he’ll be the heaviest of favorites and he’ll be doing something he’s never done before – running on grass. I feel obligated to use him as an A, simply because if he transfers 85 percent of his dirt form to the grass, he’ll be a winner. It’s also worth noting he’s taken to synthetic surfaces in the past (3 for 6 lifetime). In case he flops on the grass, I’ll also use CABRAL (6) as an A. His second career start here in the states was much improved (notably with the addition of Lasix), and the way in which he closed on the rail late was eye-catching. His strong gallop out suggests he should relish the added distance he’ll get here today, and I see no reason why a step forward for him doesn’t make him a serious contender.

A: 5, 6
B: NONE
C: 2

Race 9

The Saturday finale is loaded with first-time starters, and I’ll use a fair amount of them as A’s. They include:

LONGSTOCKING (2) – First-time starter for Michael McCarthy has a consistent and intriguing set of works, and Mike Smith sees fit to take the mount

SECRET CHORDS (6) – First-time starter for A.C. Avila sports a flashy worktab, and I love the fact that this filly has trained at a distance longer than today’s scheduled race (seven-furlong work Nov. 19)

RATTATAPTAP (10) – Sports a long, consistent workout tab for Bonde; would suggest she’s plenty fit enough, and the bullet work Nov. 23 leads one to believe she’ll be on her toes here

POPOVER (11) – First-time starter showcases the typical Baffert set of fast works, but the work Nov. 13 goes above and beyond (1:11.80 from the gate going six furlongs); won’t be the slightest bit surprised to see her fire big at first asking

A: 2, 6, 10, 11
B: 8, 12
C: None