Free: How I'd play Del Mar for Sunday, Nov. 23

Some favorites are solid, others are vulnerable. It helps to know the difference, don’t you think? Sunday at Del Mar includes some of both.

Race 4 is the first leg of the pick six, and program favorite NIGHTTIMING (1) appears formidable. She crushed a special-weight race last out, yet is eligible to this starter allowance (non-winners two that started for $40,000 or less, $50,000 statebreds) because she ran for a $30,000 tag way back in February.

That was before she got good. She is good now, and facing a modest group in the one-mile turf race. Nighttiming is 8-5, and she is solid.

The favorite in race 5, however, is dubious. GRANDSTAND (1) finished second in back-to-back $32,000 claiming races. Now he enters a $16,000 claiming race as the 5-2 chalk. The pattern is wrong, his odds are low, and Grandstand appears vulnerable.

MIND THE MASTER (7) and TRIBAL DUE (3) are logical alternatives, and could anchor a low-odds daily double from race-4 favorite Nighttiming.

Race-6 contender MY SAMURAI WARRIOR (5) has never been better. He is listed as the 3-1 second choice in the first-level allowance sprint. The horse is solid, his odds are low. My Samurai Warrior must be used, but KRISTO (3) returns from a short break with a series of sharp works and should fire big at 5-1.

As for favorite WHINE FOR WINE (6), he also enters with no knocks other than price. What is the bottom line? Race 6 did not draw a particularly strong group of sprinters. It might be a good spot to use the “all” button.

Race-7 favorite DANCINTHENIGHTAWAY (4) crushed maiden rivals first out with an 88 Beyer that towers over the field. So what’s the problem with Dancinthenightaway, the 2-1 favorite? There are several.

First, she is switching surfaces. Dirt in her debut, turf on Sunday. Second, her workout pattern is minimal. She won her debut three weeks ago. She does not have a recorded work since. Finally, she meets winners and is starting at a short price.

Make no mistake. Dancinthenightaway ran fast first out, is as the “most probable” winner. But she faces way too many questions to consider backing at a short price. Is she a vulnerable favorite? She could be.