Free's preview: Baze breaks slump

DEL MAR, Calif. – The days are getting shorter. So are twilight cards at Del Mar, where sunset inches ever earlier – 7:33 p.m. on Friday.

Friday cards the remainder of summer will include just seven races. First post remains 4 p.m.; the pick six begins in race 2. It is time to take a look, backward and forward.

Races 1-2, Baze un-slumped

Everyone paying attention to California this year noticed the reemergence of jockey Tyler Baze. He put horses into the race, steered clear of trouble, and finished strongly. Baze became a top-three rider, with Rafael Bejarano and Joe Talamo.

Everyone paying attention to Del Mar the past two weeks noticed the slump of Baze. He rode tentatively, found trouble, and slumped. He was 0 for 46 into Thursday.

The slump ended Thursday. Baze scored a milestone victory in race 3, the 2,000th of his career, with a ground-saving route win on Kate’s Event. Baze also won race 7, guiding Fable to a rail-skimming route win.

Perhaps the wins put Baze back in a groove. It would be just in time. Friday, he rides the first two favorites. Saturday, he rides “best bet” Coconut Cream Pie in race 9. Sunday, Baze rides two good ones for trainer Jeff Mullins – a promising 2-year-old filly making her career debut, and a contender in the $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes.

The favorites Baze rides Friday play to one of his strengths, which is speed. Although the 31-year-old is more than one-dimensional, what horseplayer doesn’t have a Baze “speed story”?

Maybe it was Fire With Fire ($22.80) wiring the Grade 2 San Luis Rey in March, or Star Over the Bay ($11.80) wiring the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch at Santa Anita in 2004, or Diplomat Lady ($80) wiring the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet in 2005.

The prices will be shorter Friday. Baze rides 9-5 front-runner Kings Adventure in race 1, a $40,000 maiden-claiming sprint. He rides 5-2 front-runner Theatrical Cast in race 2, a $20,000 maiden-claiming sprint for fillies and mares.

One good day does not necessarily mean Baze is out of a slump. But both Thursday wins were the result of good rides. If the jockey has returned to form after a brief funk, then it is fair say to Baze, “Welcome back.”

Race 3, Common Mr. Commons

Early in his 4-year-old year, Mr. Commons, now 6, was one of the top turf milers in California. He was coming off a successful 3-year-old campaign including a fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, and had won his first two starts of the Santa Anita winter meet.

But Mr. Commons has not won in more than two years. A Grade 2 in February 2012 was Mr. Commons’s most recent victory. After beginning his career 5 for 11, Mr. Commons is 0 for 11 since. In race 3 Friday, Mr. Commons is favored in an allowance.

The “best horse” in the field, Mr. Commons has run well at Del Mar. Second by a nose in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile in 2011 and 2012, Mr. Commons won the Oceanside Stakes for 3-year-olds in 2011.

Notwithstanding a workout gap from late June to late July, Mr. Commons reportedly has trained well for his first start since October. It is fair to suggest he is not 100 percent first start back. It also is fair to wonder if he still has the desire to win.

Mr. Commons is on the comeback trail for trainer John Shirreffs. It would be nice to see him return to form in a California turf-mile division dominated by Obviously. He returns Aug. 24. As for Mr. Commons, he has questions to answer Friday.

This handicapper’s top choice in race 3 is 9-2 Te Rapa, trying to rebound from a lackluster sixth in the Wickerr Stakes.

Race 5, Holy underlay

Holy Lute gradually has returned to form. Based on his narrow loss in a similar N2X sprint last out, he is a legitimate favorite to win race 5. However, he seems to have stalled in the allowance ranks. He might not be fast enough on figures to re-enter the stakes ranks.

Holy Lute won the El Cajon Stakes here last summer, and was a creditable third in the Grade 3 Indiana Derby before tailing off.

At 5-2, Holy Lute seems like a short price in the 6 1/2-furlong race. Rrecently improved My Slew is quick enough to establish position from the rail, and the inside lanes certainly were good Thursday. If the trend continues, don’t be surprised if My Slew scores his second straight upset as a 7-2 contender.

Race 6, Smart placement

Istanford won the Grade 2 San Clemente. Most years, the San Clemente winner runs next in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, which is scheduled for Saturday.

But trainer Mike Stidham understands the limits of his good filly. At one mile, she is solid. Beyond that, she is shaky.

Therefore, Stidham is expected to run Istanford on Friday in the $90,000 Sandy Blue at one mile, rather than the more prestigious Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles on Saturday. As this is posted, Friday morning, Stidham still has time to change his mind.

He knows what the right decision is.

Hopefully, Istanford will run Friday as the 2-1 favorite. If so, it can be another example of what happens when a good horse in good hands runs in the right spot.

Good things happen.