Free: How I'd play Del Mar for Sunday, Aug. 30

A low-odds overlay in race 6, a longshot in race 7, and a middle-price overlay in race 10 are the “how-to-play” focal points Sunday at Del Mar.

Race 6

LUCKY STUDENT set a blazing pace and tired in her recent comeback. That race was won by a deep closer who happens to be a stablemate of Lucky Student. Second start back, Lucky Student drops one level to $25k claiming and should be gone up front.

Lucky Student is second choice at 3-1. Good enough. The favorite is HIDE MY HEART, up in class following a blowout win at the bottom level, $16k claiming, nonwinners of two. Hide My Heart can only win if the pacesetter fades.

The field is too small to fiddle with exotics, so the only wager will be a win bet on Lucky Student, minimum odds 3-1.

Race 7

FRITZ JOHANSEN is sharp and moving up to an open first-level allowance after a decisive win in a Cal-bred entry-level allowance. He is the second choice at 3-1, behind deep closer CHIROPRACTOR. But the key in this mile turf race is a bomber.

ITSINTHEPOST is 15-1. Is he good enough? His odds are high enough to find out.

Itsinthepost will make his third U.S. start. His comeback July 25 was a dud. He broke slow and trailed. Two weeks later, he improved a ton.

Itsinthepost made a middle move, and then lost his punch in the stretch.

His speed figure improved 16 points; he was competitive late in the race. He split the field, finishing sixth of 11. It was a forward move. Sunday, the improving gelding makes his third start of the meet.

Last year in Europe, he improved as his campaign unfolded.

Itsinthepost might be overmatched. But at 15-1, it’s a gamble worth taking. Itsinthepost deserves a win bet at double-digit odds and under Fritz Johansen in vertical wagers.

Race 10

Summer has been forgettable for normally productive trainer Pete Eurton. He entered the weekend 2 for 45. Eurton can finish the penultimate week of summer with a maiden-20 win.

ROCKIN RHTYHM finished second in her debut on July 10 at Los Alamitos.

Next out, in her first start at Del Mar, she finished second again.

The pace was legit and she outran 10 others.

The final race Sunday includes only one other apparent front-runner, dropper KISS MY FACE. If jockey Mario Gutierrez can avoid a duel with that rival, he can guide Rockin Rhythm to an “upset” at 5-1.

Lucky Student is a low-odds overlay in race 6; Itsinthepost is an upset candidate in race 7; and Rockin Rhythm worth a wager in middle odds in race 10.