Free: Pick three play for Del Mar for Saturday, Aug. 2

DEL MAR, Calif. – The cancellation of turf racing at Del Mar throws the season into handicapping chaos. It is hard enough finding winners without worrying if a turf horse can handle synthetic. Most surface switches at this meet are not by design but necessity.

The only pick three sequence Saturday without an “off-turf” race is races 8-10. That is the focus of this small play. There are two tickets – a main ticket that spreads and a ticket that presses the favorite in the middle leg.

Race 8

Iotapa, the front-running favorite in the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch, might run them off their feet again. If she does, this pick three will be dead. But the presence of speedster Broken Sword to her outside suggests the favorite might have a tough time.

This race reminds of the Gold Cup at Santa Anita. Remember what Fury Kapcori did to Game on Dude? Fury Kapcori is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, who entered three in the Hirsch, including Broken Sword.

Assuming a pace meltdown, the race could set up perfectly for closers Fiftyshadesofhay and Parranda. Those two are the only entrants on the ticket.

Use: FIFTYSHADESOFHAY (1) and PARRANDA (6)

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Race 9

When trainer Bob Baffert enters multiple starters in a maiden race, it usually means all are doing well. Occasionally, the higher-odds runners post upsets. The Baffert-trained Turnover is the logical favorite based on a terrific third-place debut two weeks ago.

It is tempting to single Turnover. But this ticket also will include higher-odds Baffert trainees Constantine and Vegas Strip.

Conscience ran well in his runner-up debut and should improve. Prontezzo also ran well in finishing second in his debut, albeit at Los Alamitos. What is the bottom line? It’s a five-deep spread for this ticket, with another ticket that singles the chalk.

Use: CONSCIENCE (2), CONSTANTINE (5), TURNOVER (6), VEGAS STRIP (10), and PRONTEZZO (12)

Press: TURNOVER (6)

Race 10

Logical choices in this $8,000 claiming race end the sequence. They are Dr Williams, the 5-2 favorite, and God of War, the 4-1 third choice.

Use: GOD OF WAR (1) and DR WILLIAMS (8)

$1 pick 3
Race 8: Nos. 1, 6
Race 9: Nos. 2, 5, 6, 10, 12
Race 10: Nos. 1, 8
First ticket cost = $20

$1 pick 3
Race 8: Nos. 1, 6
Race 9: No. 6
Race 10: Nos. 1, 8
Second ticket cost = $4

Total cost = $24