Goulding: Del Mar pick three play for Sunday, Aug. 30
Stellar Wind looks like a standout in the Grade 3, $100,000 Torrey Pines, and I will single her in a pick three ticket that begins on race 2.
Race 2
AIN’T NO OTHER (6) will appreciate getting back on turf and figures to move forward in his second start back. GIANT EGO (9) just missed the last time he ran at this level and didn’t get beat by much when he finished sixth in an $80,000 optional race in his first start over this course. Those are my top two picks, but it seems like a wide-open race, so I’ll also use EDDIE’S FIRST (7) and PEPNIC (8). Eddie’s First could improve after being re-claimed by trainer Peter Miller, and Pepnic beat Giant Ego coming off the bench last year, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him fire a big shot as a fresh horse.
Race 3
STELLAR WIND (1) is undefeated in Southern California and stands out from a Beyer Speed Figure perspective. Toss out her only loss this year when she had a brutal trip in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, and she looks formidable. She’s been off since she won the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks on June 20, but she’s been working well enough and can fire fresh, and trainer John Sadler has solid numbers with horses coming back between 61 and 180 days.
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Race 4
CHASING THE HEAT (1) looks like the one they will have to catch and could be gone if he breaks on top leaving from the rail. NO CONTIGENCY (6) is my top pick in the race. He can stalk and was re-claimed by trainer Jeff Bonde, who had him when he won at this level June 27 at Santa Anita. MAGNA WARRIOR (2) was the runner-up when he dropped to this level in his latest and gets off the rail. MY SLEW (4) couldn’t get it done as the chalk last time but could make amends in his first start for trainer Jeff Mullins. Over the past five years, Mullins has a 23 percent strike rate with claimed horses running back the first time.