Week 2 at Del Mar opens with a very contentious card, and I will be looking at different types of races to try to take advantage of the opportunities. Race 1 (2) Dr. Vincentstein (morning line 5-1). drops a level in class and is the speed of the speed, and despite the efforts of Crazy Al to likely contest the pace, I don’t think he is fast enough early. Sporting sharp works going into this event, if he gets the jump on Crazy Al and Domingo Cat early, he is a threat to wire the field. (8) Commanche Ruler (ML 5-1). drops in class and goes back to dirt, where he ran OK on Oct. 31. A second-time gelding, he did not run well last out against better on the turf, but he is back on dirt going six furlongs in a spot where he should be competitive. (1) Silvertron (ML 3-1). had a nice middle move and a wide trip in his last start. This is his first race off the claim for R.B. Hess Jr., and he should sit an inside trip where he can factor into exotics. (6) Domingo Cat (ML 7-2). was an impressive winner at 5 1/2 furlongs last out. Up in class and stretching out to six furlongs. Worth playing against at a short price on top but is usable in exotics. How I would play: (2) Dr Vincentstein to win and wheel in exactas with the 8, 1, and 3. Then play straight exactas with 2 over the 8, 1 and 3. Race 5 (1) Sir Cal (ML 4-1). His race May 26 was good. If he can flash that kind of speed from an inside post, he can be dangerous. The fact that Rafael Bejarano remains aboard is a positive sign. (3) Gigantis (ML 8-1). Good turf debut showing speed and contesting the pace from an outside post after breaking a bit slow. Faded late but had a respectable 70 Beyer Speed Figure. Draws the No. 3 hole and should sit a nice trip.  (6) Merle (ML 10-1). Showed a good late run in the debut with a nice gallop-out, which suggests he will improve with the stretch-out from 6 1/2 furlongs to a mile. Although a small sample size, Neil Drysdale is 3 for 10 with an ROI of $2.71 with turf horses stretching out to a route in their second career start. (7) Over Par (ML 9-2). Just missed winning his maiden in his last race at a mile and raced a respectable third in a statebred stakes at 1 1/8 miles two races back. He should be in position to get first run if the speed backs up. (9) Heat (ML 7-2). A full brother to graded stakes-placed Belle Air Sizzle, who earned $392,000 on turf for Barry Abrams. On pedigree, he is a must-use as his sister was an effective middle-distance router who regularly ran Beyers in the high 80s. Although Abrams does not excel with second-time starters on turf, Heat was well bet at 7-1 first time out and was a bit green, changing leads late and then surging to get within a length of the winner. After the race, he galloped out nicely. Contender. How I would play: (3) Gigantis to win and place (if 8-1 or better) Key 3 in exactas with 1, 6, 7, 9 and save in tris; 1, 6, 7, 9 / 1, 6, 7, 9 / 3. Race 6 (5) Savings Account (ML 5-2). Freaked first time on dirt at Monmouth, jumping up with a 101 Beyer in a narrow defeat at a mile. Bred for dirt, he is probably now running on the surface that best suits him. Since returning to the West Coast, he has been working nicely and should be ready for a good effort with Mike Smith taking the call. (6) Divian Comedia (ML 3-1). Sat a nice trip in her dirt debut and drew away late, which put an exclamation point on her continued improvement. Each race has been better than the previous one, and the fact that Canani chooses to keep her on dirt is a positive sign. (4) Roksana (ML 10-1). Lucked out in her maiden win when the leader drifted out late, allowing her to get up for the win. However, her second start proved that the victory was no fluke, as she controlled the race and won impressively. The connections thought enough of her to enter in the Grade 2 Summer Oaks, where her saddle slipped and she did not finish. This is her first start since that race, and the 10-1 morning line makes her attractive. She is 2 for 2 at a mile and has done little wrong. (1) All Star Bub (ML 5-1). She may need a race as she has never fired first time off a layoff in three career attempts. That said, her last race showed growth as the tracked the pace, split horses and drew away late to get the win. In the past year, Jerry Hollendorfer is 5 for 13 (38 percent) with horses coming off layoffs of 31-60 days on dirt in Southern California with Bejarano aboard. Should get a good trip. How I would play: Daily Double 1-4-5-6/8 Race 7 (1) County Lineman (ML 12-1). Has been on the steady improve, and it might be a good time to hop aboard while he projects to be a good price. Ran down the classy Appealing Tale two back and closed OK into a slow pace going down the hill against a short field in his last start. There should be enough speed to set things up for him to get a piece of the pie. (3) Zuri Chop (ML 5-1). Showed a good late turn of foot in his races in France but often missed getting the top prize. Perhaps the Lasix will help. Has tactical speed and should be used. (8) Global View (ML 5-1). Closed well into a slow pace in his last start, and as long as the pace looks like it should shape up to be on paper, this guy is a player. He will be coming late. (11) Winning Prize (ML 5-2). He is the horse to beat. The No. 11 post means he will have to be used early, and he should have some company. If he wins, he likely will have to earn it. That said, he has been running against better, and a victory would be no surprise. How I would play: (8) Global View to win. Key in exactas with 1.3,11 and save in tri; 1,3,11/1,3,11/8 :: Bet Del Mar with DRF Bets and get FREE access to this article and all of DRF Plus, including Del Mar selections, video, and real-time analysis.