Free: How I'd play Del Mar for Friday, July 24

The twilight card Friday at Del Mar begins at 4 p.m. Pacific; a small pick three ($12) on races 2-4 is the bet. It starts with a solid favorite, followed by 2-year-old maidens with a vulnerable favorite, and ends with overlay chances in a turf route.

Race 2

CHIEF OF STAFF (2) stands out in this Cal-bred first-level allowance at one mile. Runner-up at this level in a fast race two back, he subsequently finished seventh on turf. Freshened two months with speed for a good trip positioned second, the favorite enters without a knock.

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Single: Chief of Staff

Race 3

The favorite in this Cal-bred maiden-50 is CARLOS DANGEROUS (3), dropping from a third-place finish vs. special-weight statebreds. He faded despite slow fractions, and therefore is considered vulnerable.

The pick three also will use blinkers-on second-time starter RINCON(9) at 20-1, and blinkers-on-first-time-gelding COUNTERPLAY (10).

Use: Carlos Dangerous, Rincon, Counterplay

Race 4

A deep field of $40k claiming veterans will race 1 1/16 miles on turf. The chalk is solid – TRIBAL TRIBUTE (4) and SIZZLIN’ JOE (8). Upset candidates loom, including back-on-turf BEAST OF BOURBON (1) at 15-1 and veteran ROYAL F J (7).

Use: Beast of Bourbon, Tribal Tribute, Royal F J, Sizzlin’ Joe

$1 pick three (races 2-4) = $12

Race 2 (first leg): 2

Race 3 (second leg): 3, 9, 10

Race 4 (third leg): 1, 4, 7, 8