Free: How I'd play Del Mar on Sunday, July 31

DEL MAR, Calif. – A maiden speedster looks appealing in a deep maiden race for 2-year-old fillies Sunday at Del Mar, followed later by a pair of deep-closing sprinters. All three longshots are listed at 8-1.

Race 3

The filly American Cleopatra is a full sister to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, both trained by Bob Baffert. American Pharoah lost his career debut, then won eight straight. Like brother, like sister?

“If her brother couldn’t win first out, I don’t have a problem with [American Cleopatra] not winning first out,” Baffert said.

The hint: American Cleopatra needs a start and wants farther than 5 1/2 furlongs.

The second Baffert starter is the program favorite, Jeweled, who debuts with fast works. “She’s quick,” Baffert said. The hint: Jeweled is “live.”

Meanwhile, a longshot lurks. Tiki Bar Logic showed worlds of speed in morning works prior to her July 4 debut. She never had a chance. Tiki Bar Logic hopped when the gates open, broke last, made a middle move, steadied into the turn, and finished sixth.

Tiki Bar Logic makes her second start Sunday as an 8-1 shot breaking from post 7. With a clean start, Tiki Bar Logic should outrun her price.

Race 7

The lightly raced Jazzy Times is the legitimate favorite in this first-level allowance sprint, based primarily on a runner-up finish last out vs. similar. But he faces a challenging pace scenario. The race is loaded with speed.

Brimstoned has not started since January, at which time trainer Ray Bell said the horse needed a break and would be freshened for Del Mar. Well, here we are.

Brimstoned won twice at Del Mar last summer after being gelded; he returns with a solid workout pattern in a race that could unfold perfectly for his closing style.

Of course, Brimstoned’s style goes against the track profile. Seven of the eight races this summer at 6 1/2 furlongs were won by horses positioned within 1 1/2 lengths of the lead after the first quarter-mile.

Brimstoned will be nowhere close to the lead. But at 8-1 on the line, with pace to run at, he should outrun his price.

Race 8

The Grade 1 Bing Crosby includes front-runners Subtle Indian and Justin Squared, who could get in each other’s way. The favorite is Lord Nelson, considered more effective at sprint distances farther than the six-furlong distance of the Bing.

Another longshot lurks. Home Run Kitten has trained super since arriving at Del Mar. “He loves this racetrack,” trainer David Hofmans said. “I think it moves him up.”

Fourth behind Lord Nelson and Very Subtle last out in the Grade 1 Triple Bend at seven furlongs, Home Run Kitten faces a challenging track profile – 14 of 15 sprints at this meet at six furlongs (through Friday) were won by a horse within 2 1/2 lengths of the lead after the first quarter-mile.

Home Run Kitten will be last early. But he will fly late, and if the pace gets hot, he should outrun his 8-1 program price.