Free's preview: Double pick six carryover

DEL MAR, Calif. – Under normal circumstances at Del Mar, a double carryover in the pick six would generate unbridled enthusiasm for the twilight card on Friday, first post 4 p.m.

However, summer 2014 is not normal.

Turf racing at Del Mar has been canceled through the weekend after another horse was injured Thursday on the new turf course. That makes five. Weekend races orginally scheduled for turf will be moved to Polytrack.

That presents a challenge. Polytrack was fair Wednesday; winners came from all over. Thursday was different. It seemed front-runners held the edge. Not sure about that. It only appeared that way. Not every bias is conspicuous. Possibly, the track was fair.

As for the Friday pick six (races 3-8), only one race was scheduled for turf. Race 6 will be moved to the main track; the switch benefits one horse in particular. The carryover is $239,003, and the pool is likely to exceed $1 million on Friday despite the downbeat vibe.

Now is time for a closer look at the sequence.

SINGLE, race 3

A brave pick-six bettor might single Forest Romance in the first leg, a $20,000 maiden-claiming sprint at 5 1/2 furlongs.

The most recent start by Forest Romance is worth checking out on video (Del Mar, July 18, race 2).

Making his second career start, and first since being claimed by John Sadler, Forest Romance got squeezed and shuffled at the break. He lost position, dead last. Then he took off.

Forest Romance made a sweeping while wide move through the turn, loomed a threat into the lane, and then flattened out in a race won by the pacesetter. It was a super effort by a bottom-level maiden. He only needs a clean takeoff Friday.

Forest Romance is 3-1. The 5-2 program favorite is Superboot, whose early speed and established ability (runner-up three of his last four) make him tempting except for the fact that he already has lost 11 races.

JUVENILES, race 4

The video replay is less conclusive on Pulmarack, the 2-year-old making his second start in this 5 1/2-furlong sprint for California-bred maidens. His debut (Del Mar, July 17, race 6) was a disappointing sixth-place finish after breaking slowly.

Pulmarack walked out of the gate, raced in the second flight, was green through the lane, and merely went evenly. The race was dominated by the one-two pacesetters. Based on the video, you cannot love Pulmarack second time out. You cannot hate him, either.

He adds blinkers, posted a decent work wearing blinkers July 25 according to National Turf, and should improve. He is this handicapper’s top selection. Don’t love him, don’t hate him, had to pick someone.

It’s a spread race. Spring for It is a sibling to a debut winner; Commanche Ruler is bred to win early and gets the (surprising) leading rider Kent Desormeaux; Los Gatos is the program favorite under Rafael Bejarano, who has worked him.

The sleeper is Cardiac, a debut gelding by win-early sire Papa Clem (7 for 33 first-out winners). Cardiac has posted sharp works for trainer Barry Abrams. He is 8-1 and a must-use.

The preceding mentions five horses. Hopefully that is enough in a difficult race.

LOW-LEVEL MUDDLE, race 5

The favorite in this bleak $7,000-8,000 claimer for fillies and mares is Glorious Rebecca, dropping off a sixth-place finish in which she was claimed. Her win two starts back would be good enough. She is this handicapper’s top choice. Ugh.

The second choice in the program is West Ruler, a 7-year-old stakes-placed mare racing for the first time since October 2012. Finally, Chipette drops to the bottom after being eased last out, and finishing last by 14 the time before.

A pick-six bettor would have to use at least those three. And then cross fingers.

OFF TURF, race 6

Winninginfashion, 12-1 in the program, is the prime beneficiary of the surface switch. This turf race will be moved to Polytrack. Nine days ago on Polytrack, Winninginfashion romped by more than seven lengths (Del Mar, July 23, race 3) over restricted claiming foes.

She earned a number (78 Beyer) that qualifies her to win again on the class hike; she may have the pace advantage. She also was flattered by the surface in her recent romp. Inside speed was dynamite most of the July 23 card.

Winninginfashion faces a group in which every other entrant (California-bred filly-mare allowance) is moving from turf to synthetic.

Jade With Envy, proven on synthetic, must be used. Highly Rated is in good form and will be forwardly placed. And if Market Quote ever learns to consistently leave with the rest of the field, she fits.

LAST TWO, races 7-8

In race 7, Whine for Wine is possibly worth a straight bet at 6-1 in the Real Good Deal Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old sprinters. His numbers are ordinary. So are his foes. He ran well last out against older, and has improved as the season progressed. A bettor could make a case for many.

Race 8 is a maiden-20 mess. Justa Splash is first-time gelding, dropping from special weights. Not exactly a positive pattern. Salt Power perked up in his comeback, and might make another forward move. It is a tough race.

Actually, it has been a tough meet.

Summer 2014 is not normal.