Free: Del Mar pick three play for Saturday, Sept. 5

DEL MAR, Calif. – The early portion of the Saturday card at Del Mar will receive less attention than the late part, but a potential standout in the first race is reason to jump in early.

A pick three on races 1-3 is the recommended wager. It is $20 play (two tickets, $15 and $5) with a single in the first leg.

:: See Brad Free’s pick three play in DRF TicketMaker and bet it with DRF Bets

Race 1

OSCEOLA POND (3) is sitting on a win in this 2-year-old maiden race at a mile on turf. Shipped to Del Mar after a respectable third-place debut in a main-track sprint at Belmont Park, the gelding improved a ton stretching out and switching to grass.

Osceola Pond broke from post 10, raced three wide throughout, and finished well. The runner-up effort was a forward move by a gelding racing his way into shape. Nominated to the Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes, he will take an easier path Saturday vs. maidens.

Beyond improving form and steady workout pattern, Osceola Pond is bred to win third time out. That sounds silly. Both winning siblings of Osceola Pond (Lori’s Store, Chiseled) won maiden races in the third start of their career.

Single: Osceola Pond (3).

Race 2

TWO STEP FLOR (7) won a $20K claiming race last out and was claimed. But the claim was voided after the filly did not pass the post-race examination. Okay, fine. Trainer John Martin and Rafael Bejarano wheel her right back, this time in for $12.5K. A 4-for-15 pro in peak form, Two Step Flor should win again, but two others will be included.

PAPASLILPRINCESS (2) is back sprinting and dropping in class; FLEXIBLE ETHICS (1) is a new shooter from Kentucky with speed to flee the rail.

Use three: Flexible Ethics, Papaslilprincess, Two Step Flor (1, 2, 7).
A second ticket will single Two Step Flor (7).

Race 3

This N3X turf mile for fillies and mares is a scramble. Having already singled a favorite in the first leg, and pressing with a favorite in the second leg, I will leave off race-3 favorite Majestic Heat. She is making her fifth start of the meet.

Five others will be used. NASHOBA’S GOLD (3) underwent surgery for a breathing problem since her last start. INDECISE (5) can improve second start back. HANDFULL (7) has won 6 of 8 this year; her stable is rolling. GENDER AGENDA (8) has been off since February; she runs well fresh. JOURNEY ON (9) drops in class for her second start back.

Use five: Nashoba’s Gold, Indecise, Handfull, Gender Agenda, Journey On (3, 5, 7, 8, 9)

$1 pick three (races 1-3), first ticket = $15

Race 1 (first leg): 3

Race 2 (second leg): 1, 2, 7

Race 3 (third leg): 3, 5, 7, 8, 9

$1 pick three (races 1-3), second ticket = $5

Race 1 (first leg): 3

Race 2 (second leg): 7

Race 3 (third leg): 3, 5, 7, 8, 9