Free: How I'd play Del Mar on Saturday, Aug. 22
DEL MAR, Calif. – Pacific Classic day is a good time to take a shot at the pick six on races 6-11. The $100 ticket includes three stand-alone singles (no backups). The three remaining races will use TicketMaker strategy.
Race 6
BOYETT (4) and program favorite TWENTYTWENTYVISION (10) are the A’s in this N3X turf route. Twentytwentyvision could be a “single” based on his last-out runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Eddie Read. But if he is so good, what is he doing in an allowance race? And besides, Boyett has a potential pace advantage.
The B’s include MALTES (1), a bomber second start off a layoff; POSHSKY (3), compromised last out by the race shape; and LUCKY J LANE (4), who had bad trips in both recent starts.
A’s: 4, 10
B’s: 1, 3, 4
Race 7
TIZ A TOMMY TOWN (1), FABULOUS LADY (5), and the program favorite DEVOTED ONE (12) are the A’s in this special weight for 2-year-old fillies.
Tiz a Tommy Town chased the promising Songbird last out. Fabulous Lady finished a better-than-looked fourth in her debut. Devoted One is a first-timer with sharp works.
The B’s are the route-to-sprint ASIAN MOONLADY (3) and the expensive first-time starter GARNET (4).
A’s: 1, 5, 12
B’s: 3, 4
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Race 8
BIG JOHN B (4) is a no-backup “single” in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap. The favorite in this 1 3/8-mile turf marathon, he is the most probable winner on the card.
Single: 4
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Race 9
MIDNIGHT STORM (10) is a no-backup “single” in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic. He has trained superbly on dirt, his best races are good enough, and he had an excuse (wet course) for misfiring last time out.
Midnight Storm is 20-1 on the morning line.
Single: 10
Race 10
MAL VERDE (2) and the sharp ROY H (8) are the A’s in this allowance turf sprint. Mal Verde runs well fresh and has worked like he will fire despite his trainer’s curious recent record with layoff horses. Roy H was tons best last out, and the horse that beat him returned Thursday to win.
The B’s are the comebacker MISCHIEF CLEM (3) and the in-form LABOUR (7).
A’s: 2, 8
B’s: 3, 7
Race 11
OLIGARCH (3) is the no-backup "single" in this $32,000 claiming sprint. He meets less speed and will be racing over a track more kind to his front-running style than his first start at the meet. Not only that, he is a square price at 6-1.
Single: 3