Free: How I'd play Del Mar on Saturday, Aug. 9

DEL MAR, Calif. – An interesting card is offered Saturday at Del Mar, despite questions about footing.

Polytrack always is a mystery. It changes day to day, often race to race. A bias early on the card does not automatically continue to the end of the card. One never knows.

Turf will be a mystery, too. Races 2, 5, and 8 will be the first on turf since July 31. The course has been aerated and watered and the rails moved to 24 feet. Closers did well early in the meet. That might not be the case Saturday.

So how should a bettor play Saturday? With caution? Nope. The prices are attractive. It is time to dive in.

Race 2

Bettors might be leery, gambling on the first turf race in a week and a half. But at 5-1, the comebacker Anxious Times offers too much value to ignore.

He has speed and meets only one other frontrunner. Perhaps the turf aeration, watering and rails-at-24 configuration benefits speed. If so, then Anxious Times is worth fooling around with at 5-1.

Race 3

When does the move from $10,000 to $16,000 claiming represent a drop in class? It is a drop when the price increase is accompanied by an eligibility restriction. That is the case with World Famous Sam T.

He was claimed from an open (unrestricted) $10,000 claiming race in which he finished a close fourth. On Saturday, he drops into a $16,000 claiming race that is restricted to non-winners of two.

World Famous Sam T. is dropping in class, despite the increased claim price. He is listed at generous 4-1 in the program for the hot trainer-jockey team of Bob Hess Jr. and Kent Desormeaux. At even a tick below his morning line, ‘Sam’ is pure value.

Race 6

The first-time starter Long Hot Summer worked in 10 seconds flat at the Barretts May sale and was purchased for $260,000. She is sired by Street Boss, who gets 18 percent debut winners. Her dam was speed.

Trainer Phil D’Amato does well with first-time starters. Her rivals in the sprint for statebred maiden 2-year-old fillies appear modest. Here’s the knock on Long Hot Summer – she probably will be hammered.

The well-regarded filly is this handicapper’s “best bet.” That is “most probable winner.” It will not be a unique opinion. Long Hot Summer likely will be an underlay. She likely will win.

Race 7

It appeared Sweet Profit was given an easy race in her comeback. She failed to produce speed and finished third as the favorite. Maybe she is not the same filly she was before she went to the sidelines. Or maybe, the comeback was nothing more than a prep. At 5-1 second start back, it is worth finding out.