Del Mar carryover reaches $654,000

DEL MAR, Calif. - A double carryover of $654,880 adds considerable intrigue to Fridays eight-race program at Del Mar. The pick six covers the third through eighth races on a program that begins at 3:30 p.m. Pacific.

There were early changes in four of the six races for Friday.

In the third race, Ought and Yo Fuzzy are scratched from the also-eligible list of the maiden claimer for fillies and mares over six furlongs. The remaining 12 females lack a standout. Adarlyn Cat, a $115,000 yearling purchase in 2005, makes her debut for a claiming price. Trained by Bob Baffert, she is the 7-2 morning-line favorite after finishing ninth and 10th in her first two starts. Downtown Lover, trained by Juan Garcia, was second in her last start, a maiden claimer last October at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting. Magic Label, third in a maiden claimer at the San Mateo County Fair on Aug. 9, may set the pace.

The fourth race is the first division of the $100,000 El Cajon Stakes for 3-year-olds over a mile. Unusual Suspect has been scratched and redirected to the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Sunday. His absence leaves a field of nine, including Cobalt Blue, the winner of the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita in March; Big Bad Leroybrown, the winner of the Real Good Deal Stakes for statebreds earlier this month; and Frank the Barber, who was second in an optional claimer in his last start. Rush With Thunder, claimed for $20,000 in July, makes his first start in a stakes and is searching for his fourth straight win.

The fifth race is a maiden claimer for 2-year-old fillies over 5 1/2 furlongs. Almacita and Runaway Wagon are scratched, leaving 12 starters. In Daddys Honor, who drew the rail, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite for his career debut. Cupids Kitty, who drew the outside, takes a drop in class after finishing seventh in a maiden claimer on Aug. 2. The race has not drawn a strong field. Unbidable, trained by Eric Kruljac, makes her career debut after a series of consistent workouts.

There are two turf races in the pick six, the sixth and eighth. The sixth race is an optional claimer over a mile that has eight 3-year-old fillies. Honored Gold, a game second in the Viejas Casino Handicap here on Aug. 19, will be a short-priced favorite, but must beat Onida, second in an allowance race in February; Wondrous Event, second in an optional claimer on Aug. 11; and Mean Heat, who won a $62,500 claimer on Aug. 20.

The seventh race, the second leg of the El Cajon Stakes, has 10 runners and is arguably the stronger division. Noble Court, the winner of the San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita in February, will attempt to win his second consecutive race after returning from a bruised foot. He must beat Latin Rhythms, who is seeking his first stakes win; Roman Commander, a longshot that won two stakes in 2006; and Try to Fly, the fourth-place finisher in the Iowa Derby.

The final race is a starter allowance over 1 1/16 miles on turf. Johnny the Cat and Political High are scratched, leaving 10 entrants. Catch that Thief, Made the Finals and Old Thamesian make their first start against winners after beating maiden claimers in their last start. Warrens Dream, third at this level on Aug. 4, is likely to be favored.