Del Mar: Pick 4 Keys, B's and C's for Thursday, August 15

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DEL MAR PICK 4 (RACES 5-8)

Race 5

Key's - 2,7,9

B's - None

C's - 1,4, 5, 6, 10,11

Horse I really like is TOPPER'S GHOST (7), but can't see singling 1ster in full-field maiden-claimer. MSW droppers PREACHER’S BLUFF (2) & HOPE N'PRAY (9) both earn "A" status. The spreading - and there's plenty of it, comes in the "C" category.

Race 6

Key's - 2,3,5,8

B's - 7,9,11

C's - None

This $16K N2L claimer? No firm footing at all. Hoping that four "A" and three "B" plays will cover it, because including more gets too pricey.

Race 7

Key's - 3

B's - None

C's - 7,9

I couldn't argue with someone taking the position that this 11fs N1X turf allowance is as inscrutable, say, as race 6. But I'm going to lean heavily on NOBILIS (3), whose French form & US debut gives her more upside than any of the many stuck for many starts in this condition. CARAMURU (7) could go clear & has appealing pedigree for the trip. SUMERIAN (9) has only three losses at the class & won at 9fs.

Race 8

Key's - 3, 7,8,11

B's - 10

C's - None

Grudgingly throwing vulnerable chalk STORMIN LUTE (3) into A column, but he could easily go down, in which case this Pick 4 pay goes way up.