Free's Del Mar plays for Friday, August 11

Time to get caught up.

Wednesday was soft. One play scratched (Cristofi in race 5), another started at odds too low to support (Suisse Movement in race 8). No bet either race.

The only bet Wednesday was a $20 play on 8-1 Dr. Sinatra in race 6. He was no match for Master James, who won by more than 10 lengths in a sizzling 1:08.95. Dr. Sinatra fired, but got beat by a better horse. The bottom line Wednesday was a $20 loss.

Thursday in race 5, Sneaky Dip started at the right price. The 21-1 longshot fell into the right trip positioned fifth on the outside, and then backed up. It was a $50 loss.

Now, it is on to Friday.

The turf rails have been at the outermost 14-foot setting for the past week. Starting Friday and continuing through the weekend, the turf rails are down.

That's a good thing for handicappers who like movement from the back of the pack. It does not happen often when the rails are up. But on a wide, fair turf course, here come the closers. Including the only play on the Friday card.

Race 1

An evenly matched group of 3-year-old claiming fillies go a mile and a sixteenth, and Doug O'Neill-trained dropper Decisive Blow is the horse to beat. She pressed and cracked against N1X foes in her comeback, but either of her two previous starts (against maidens) would be good enough.

Decisive Blow is listed at 6-1 on the line, and worth a win bet at 4-1 or higher.

Two strangers are eligible to post upsets. Moogie (8-1) makes her California debut for trainer Ron McAnally; Aravalli (8-1) makes her U.S. debut with leading rider Victor Espinoza aboard. Those two will be exacta savers.

The bet: $40 win Decisive Blow (minimum odds 4-1); and $5 exactas Moogie and Aravalli over Decisive Blow (same minimum odds).

Tomorrow is the halfway point of the 43-day meet. Back on Saturday.

Total wagers Wednesday: $20.
Total return Wednesday: $0.
Total win/loss Wednesday: minus $20.

Total wagers Thursday: $50.
Total return Thursday: $0.
Total win/loss Thursday: minus $50.

Total wagers for meet: $705.
Total return for meet: $0.
Total win/loss for meet: minus $705.