Del Mar internet plays for Sunday

Saturday was an unfortunate example of one of the most common blunders that a bettor can make. That is, changing strategy without good reason. The mistake often happens when a bettor is down for the meet, and pressing for a comeback.

Cindago was a worthwhile gamble in race 4, at odds of 4-1. He faced a vulnerable and possibly over-rated Brother Derek in the El Cajon Stakes. The wire-to-wire win by Cindago was hardly a surprise.

But rather than accept the $10.80 win payoff and be satisfied (win bets have been the main focus of this column all summer), the suggestion was made to punch a one-way exacta Cindago over Brother Derek.

The outcome was predictable. Brother Derek challenged Cindago on the far turn, but then completely surrendered and finished off the board. Cindago was headed by Bob and John in the middle of the stretch, and then re-rallied to win by a half-length.

The $50 one-way exacta become worthless; a $50 win bet would have returned $270.

And so, it is on to Sunday. Try not to make another stupid betting mistake.

Race 1

Conventional handicapping says that Sip One for Mom is not good enough to win the $125,000 Solana Beach Handicap. That's fine; it means the 12-1 outsider will start at a fat price for the second time this meet.

The truth is that Sip One for Mom has never been better. She showed that by crushing state-bred N1X foes last time out by nearly three lengths. It is possible that Sip One for Mom will be outclassed on Sunday, but there is pace to run at and she will be finishing.

Furthermore, there is a vulnerable favorite to wager against,. Moscow Burning is 3-5 in the program, based on her nose defeat in the Grade 1 John C. Mabee Handicap last out. But instead of continuing her campaign in a graded stake, she drops into a restricted race. It is not exactly a sign of confidence. If she wins, she will pay about $3. So what. The gamble in the race is the longshot.

The bet: $50 win Sip One for Mom (minimum odds 6-1)

Back on Monday.

Total wagers previous two days: $100.
Total return previous two days: $0.
Total win/loss previous two days: minus $100.

Total wagers for meet: $1,720.
Total return for meet: $246.
Total win/loss for meet: minus $1,474.