Del Mar’s early pick five has some competitive races, so I thought I’d try to get creative with it. Race 1 (8) Wish I Understood (morning line 2-1): She had some trouble in her last start at the top of the turn when caught in tight, costing her some momentum. She recovered well enough to show good run on the turn and outfinished a rival for second with a nice gallop-out. From the outside post, she should be forwardly placed and, if she goes for it, has the potential to wire the field. In the past year, trainer Bob Baffert is 6 for 13 (46 percent) in maiden-claiming sprints, with a return on investment of $2.75. (4) Gusto’s Gal (ML 4-1): Didn’t panic when squeezed early in her first start. She made a nice middle move with a consistent stretch run and a good gallop-out. With the addition of blinkers, she should improve in her second start. (6) Mint Julep Taffy (ML 5-2): After a promising debut, she pressed the pace in her next two starts only to fade in the stretch both times. She comes into the race with a nice workout pattern and gets a much-needed drop in class, which hopefully will restore some of her lost confidence. Race 2 (3) Cindy’s Secret (ML 5-2): Came to life when she was put on turf for the first time March 29. Since then, she has been knocking on the door for her second career victory, mostly showing speed on the grass and getting outfinished late. In her last race, she was rated and showed good run late to get within a length of the winner. This versatility makes her dangerous, and she has the look of a major player. (6) Desert Steel (ML 2-1): Would benefit from a clear trip as she has either been wide or between horses in all three of her turf starts. Second start off a layoff with her tactical speed, she should be in position to get first run on the speeds if they tire. (5) Cin City Lady (ML 5-1): Showed affinity for the grass in her second turf start last out, where she was able to relax and make a nice run in the stretch before getting passed late for the win. Coming off a layoff, she shows steady works and will offer some value as she could go off longer than the 5-1 morning line. Race 3 (3) Popalicious (ML 4-1): Stretches out from 4 1/2 to six furlongs but showed good late run in winning the last race with a strong gallop-out, suggesting that she will be ready to roll in this spot second off a layoff. (7) Winning Vision (ML 8-1): Last fall, ran two races that would absolutely win this race, earning Beyer Speed Figures of 80 and 85. After a break, she returned at a higher class level, where she was probably over her head. Drops back to a more realistic spot where she likely will need to either outgun or sit off Lucky Student. If she is not cooked in a speed duel, she has a very good shot to score at a price. (1) Lucky Student (ML 3-1): If she gets to the front, she will be dangerous. If she is challenged, she will be in trouble. Looks like a need-the-lead type. All or nothing. Even though it looks like there will be other speeds, she needs to be included on the ticket because of her ability to take control if given the chance. Race 4 (12) Bella Breeze (ML 7-2): Experienced runner in this wide-open maiden event runs first off the claim for Jorge Periban and gets the blinkers off. She has good natural speed, sports the highest lifetime Beyer in the field, and worked a bullet five furlongs in 58.20 seconds Aug. 5, so she should be coming into this race sharp. (5) Scatchmeifyoucan (ML 9-2): Exits the same race as Bella Breeze, where she had a wider trip but showed good run on the turn before tiring late. Was on a fast pace, and if she can get a better trip today, she can turn the tables on Bella Breeze, who outfinished her for second. (3) Let the Girl Go (ML 8-1): Also exits the July 24 race, where she was favored. She broke slowly and had to rush up, where she tracked the pace to the turn before tiring. Given the circumstances of that race, if she goes off at anything near the morning line, she will offer value. In her first start, she was green, and had she changed leads in the stretch, she might have won. There is room for improvement. (9) Tribal All Star (ML 8-1): Of the first-time starters, seems the most playable. Over the last three years, Mike Puype is 9 for 42 (21 percent) with an ROI of $2.73 with first-time starters making their debut in maiden-claiming events. Race 5 (2) Rideo (ML 5-2): Well bet in debut, had a good trip but little chance of catching the wire-to-wire winner. Experience should help as he makes his second start. (3) Dressed In Hermes (ML 7-2): Made a nice middle move while wide in his debut on dirt going six furlongs. With Elusive Quality on the bottom, should take to turf. (8) Path of David (ML 8-1): Pedigree suggests he will improve on turf and stretching out. Michael Stidham is 2 for 5 (40 percent) with an ROI of $5.60 over the past 90 days with horses making their first start on grass at a mile. (9) Dare to Believe (ML 20-1): Long price with good pedigree. Should be on the ticket. (10) Canada (ML 8-1): $500,000 purchase out of Giant’s Causeway with a second dam who produced Private Vow, a stakes winner at 2. If he takes to turf, he will be dangerous. :: See Lonnie GoldFeder's $70 pick five ticket here and his $140 ticket here, and bet it with DRF Bets.