Free: Pick three play for Del Mar on Saturday, Nov. 22

DEL MAR, Calif. – A conservative pick three wager Saturday at Del Mar spices up the middle of the card. At $1 minimum, the bet cost is $15. The payoff could be anywhere from $50 to $250.

The bet begins with a single in the first leg, three deep in the next, and five deep to finish it off.

Race 4: Single

AIR OF ROYALTY (#4) scored a highly rated sprint win last out in a California-bred N1X on dirt. Her challenges Saturday include a class hike to open N1X and a surface switch to five furlongs on turf. No problem for the program favorite.

The last-start win by Air of Royalty was fast. She earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure that was partly validated when the runner-up My Monet returned to win with a 78. Footing is not expected to be an issue for Air of Royalty. She is a full sister to Anzisong, a six-time winner on turf.

Air of Royalty is quick. Since the reconstruction of the Del Mar turf course prior to the summer meet, seven of the nine sprints were won by a horse within one length of the lead after the first quarter-mile. Air of Royalty should be positioned on top of the pace. Single.

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Race 5: Three deep

Bottom-level restricted claiming races often are easy to handicap. That seems the case in this $16,000 claiming sprint for non-winners of two.

INTAXICATION (#5) wired a maiden-claiming sprint two weeks ago while earning pace/speed figures fast enough to win this. MAHALO ARTURO (#7) returns from a two-month layoff to the surface on which he finished a good second in summer. SECRET COMMAND (#8) is the stretch-running program favorite.

The aforementioned are the program favorites; three deep.

Race 6: Five deep

Lots of ways to go in this interesting starter allowance at a mile on turf. It is restricted to horses that started for a claim tag of $16,000 or less this year.

LOS BAMBINOS (#7) is a 7-for-22 pro who improved when returned to grass. He ran well last time with a wide trip. BENBA (#1) always is in the hunt, always falling short. He has four seconds in his last five starts. But his speed figures are appropriate, he has an inside post, and he figures for a ground-saving trip in the first flight. He might even set the pace.

PERSUASIVE PAUL (#3) missed by only head last out in an allowance; FIGHTER SQUADRON (#4) hit traffic last time and lost by only a length. DRESS CODE (#11) is the bomber at 15-1. A veteran gelding in sharp form, he has run well previously on grass.

If the pick three is dead into race 6, Dress Code is worth a win bet at double-digit odds.

The bet

$1 pick three
Cost: $15
Race 4: No. 4
Race 5: Nos. 5, 7
Race 6: Nos. 1, 3, 4, 7, 11