Free: How I'd play Del Mar on Sunday, Nov. 16

DEL MAR, Calif. – Undefeated after two starts, Light the City towers over her rivals in the $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes (race 2) on Sunday at Del Mar. Bettors that enjoy wagering on short prices in small fields are welcome to knock themselves out.

Light the City is 7-5 against four rivals. She should win. Hooray if she does. Wagering value will be tough to find in the seven-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies.

Later on Sunday, perhaps there is an opportunity to turn a favorite into a small score. The favorite is in the final race, a second-time starter that will be the key. The objective is to “get live” to Tough Sunday on Sunday.

The approach will be a conservative pick three that leaves out the favorites in the first two legs (race 7-8) while hopefully cashing out to the favorite in the finale.

Race 7

California-bred maiden fillies and mares sprint six furlongs. The first-time starter Radiant Journey is the top choice as the 3-1 second favorite. She is bred to win early, from a good stable, and working well.

Others to use include the second-time starter Wild At Best, the late runner Flyin for a Livin, the first-time starter Tale of Papa by the terrific debut stallion Papa Clem, and the first-timer No Comparison.

If the program favorite wins, this ticket will be dead. That is Fast Magoo, in the money four straight while giving up ground and/or position each time. Speed has been holding on Polytrack, but Fast Magoo is suspect the final sixteenth.

The “uses” are Radiant Journey, Wild At Best, Flyin for a Livin, Tale of Papa, and No Comparison. That is five deep.

Race 8

Law Dog completely misfired last time without a visible alibi. Maybe he needed the start. His previous form was too good to ignore. He is worth trying again.

Lindante ran the race of his career last time in his first turf sprint. If he runs two alike, he can win again. Smart Journey is reunited with a top jockey in Rafael Bejarano and also must be used.

The favorite is Eddie’s First, who never has come close to reproducing his smashing maiden win in May. If he wins, this pick three ticket is dead.

The “uses” are Law Dog, Lindante, and Smart Journey. That is three deep.

Race 9

The “single” in this sprint for California-bred maiden 2-year-olds is Tough Sunday, whose debut was super. A half-brother to the unbeaten stakes winner Sunday Rules, Tough Sunday hopped and broke slowly in his debut.

He made an extended run wide through the turn, continued to rally late, finished with run, and galloped out in front. With a clean break second out, he should win as the favorite. A single.

The pick three play is a $15 ticket (five deep, by three deep, by single).