Free: How I'll Play Del Mar Saturday, July 22nd

DEL MAR, Calif. – Want to back a winner on Saturday at Del Mar? The odds-on favorite looks tough in the ninth race. Thankfully, several races offer more value than Arrogate in the TVG San Diego Handicap. Here is a look at four appealing options.

Race 1

High-figure horses almost always are heavily bet, while low-figure horses occasionally slip through the cracks. That could happen in this N2L claiming sprint. LOOKS GOOD N A TUX earned a mere 55 Beyer last out winning a $12,500 maiden-claiming sprint at Golden Gate. But that visually impressive race was on synthetic; his pressing style could be more effective on dirt. He faces an ordinary field Saturday, and is listed at 4-1 on the line. Looks Good N a Tux is the day's first overlay, at 3-1 or higher.

Race 5

Trainer Bob Hess Jr. and jockey Kent Desormeaux are 8-for-29 with maiden-claiming runners the past five years at Del Mar while producing a return of more than $3 for each $2 win bet. They team with DECARCHY DAWN, a dropper that had trouble in his debut. Although he faces two good rivals – comebacker SUNDAY NAP and first-time starter TRAPALANDA – Decarchy Dawn is worth a gamble to win, and exacta boxes with the favorites. Listed at 8-1 on the line, he is worth backing at 6-1.

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Race 6

SORRY ERIK is one of the “most probable” winners on the card, favored at 3-1 in this first-level turf allowance. Meanwhile, a 15-1 bomber lurks. KNIGHT’S DREAM makes his first start in California for trainer Mike Ruis, who claimed him for $50,000 in May at Churchill Downs. The lightly raced colt has trained well for his return, and Ruis is hitting this year with prices. Five of his seven winners returned more than $20; his ROI is a lofty $3.52. Knight’s Dream is worth a straight bet at 10-1 or higher, and exacta box with top choice Sorry Erik and second preference MARCKIE’S WATER.

Race 8

With a prep race under her belt and returning to the course on which she won a Cal-bred N1X last fall, LUCY DE can spring a mild upset over a modest cast of N1X filly-mare turf milers. Listed at 6-1, she is worth a bet at 5-1 or higher.

The plays: Looks Good N a Tux in race 1, Decarchy Dawn in race 5, Knight’s Dream in race 6, and Lucy De in race 8.

And then there’s the favorite in race 9. He looks tough.