Free: How I'll play Del Mar for Sunday, Nov. 13

Bettors who like maiden races will like Sunday's card at Del Mar – four maiden special-weights that provide welcome relief from the unrelenting barrage of Southern California maiden-claiming races.

All four special-weights Sunday – races 1, 3, 6 and 9 – offer potential value. The key word is “potential.” While no race includes a slam-dunk choice, all four include runners that could slip through the pari-mutuel cracks.

Race 1
This is for older maidens at 6 1/2 furlongs; the favorites face challenges. Top choice, MY PRINCE HARRY, drew the rail, one of the least productive posts at 6 1/2. The colt’s runner-up finish two starts back was fast and he had a legitimate wide-trip alibi for his most recent start. But at 5-2, he is undervalued.

Another underlay is 2-1 favorite WILLISTON DUDE, whose seemingly decent debut was partly an optical illusion. The winner set a slow pace and won fully extended. Williston Dude narrowed the gap, but the runner-up finish was only okay, nothing more.

Potential overlays are SUNSET GRILL at 6-1 and IS TREVOR CLEVER at 10-1. Sunset Grill chased a fast pace and tired first out. Based on pedigree, a switch to dirt is a good thing. Is Trevor Clever returns from a layoff for trainer Peter Miller, whose comebackers routinely offer value. Sunset Grill and Is Trevor Clever are upset candidates.

Race 3
For Cal-bred 2-year-old maidens at six furlongs. The favorite, COILS GOLD, has worked well, but debuts from the rail. Top choice, LIL AWECIM, makes his debut with a sharp workout pattern, but his trainer is only 3 for 50 with debut juveniles.

WOODFOX, this handicapper’s second preference, is interesting at 4-1. He produced more speed in his second start, and though his Beyer dropped from 52 to 42, he actually ran better second out. Blinkers are off, Kent Desormeaux is on, and, with an experience edge over the first-timers, third-time starter Woodfox will enter as a legitimate upset candidate.

Race 6
This is for older Cal-bred maiden fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs. First-time starter, second choice on the morning line WANDA'S TOUCH is the play at 7-2. She is trained by Phil D’Amato, whose first-time starters in state-bred maiden special-weights routinely outrun their odds. D’Amato is 6 for 36, with a $3.75 return for each $2 win bet.

D’Amato likes Wanda’s Touch. “She’s trained better out of every breeze; her last couple breezes have been nice,” D’Amato said. “She should be ready to go, and give a good account of herself.”

Race 9
For 2-year-olds at a 1 1/16 miles on turf. KONA DREAMS is the favorite, but he is wheeling back only two weeks after his runner-up debut. Seems like a rush.

The play is KIMBEAR, a 9-2 shot whose improved third-place finish in his second career start stamps him as one of the more probable winners on the card. His most recent start was six weeks ago, he trained well in the interim. At 7-2 or higher, Kimbear offers value.