Hammersly: Del Mar pick three play for Friday
Race 3
No. 12 VOLKONSKY (A) was dull when last seen at May 26 at Santa Anita, finishing sixth as the 2.90-1 favorite. However, the son of Vronsky had previously done plenty of good work in races like this. He had a slow start May 26 and maybe it just wasn’t his day. He’s been given plenty of time since by his Hall of Fame trainer (Jerry Hollendorfer) and it’s most encouraging that after nearly two months off there’s no drop, that he returns at the same level.
Hollendorfer adds blinkers for the first time (18 percent) and there are some strong works in tow for his return, including two recent bullets (six furlongs in 1:11 on July 9 at Santa Anita) to show he’s doing well. That May 26 outing and Friday’s far outside post figure to keep his price buoyed.
No. 4 BOOZER (A) comes off four strong turf sprints at Santa Anita. He was third to Love Rules All (sixth in Thursday’s Oceanside Stakes) in his last and he’s routed well before. No. 5 BENBA (B) comes off a nice second in a race like this at Santa Anita last month. No. 8 PRESSURE TIME (C) is capable of better than his last shows.
A’s: No. 4 Boozer, No. 12 Volonsky
B’s: No. 5 Benba
C’s: No. 8 Pressure Time
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Race 4
No. 8 PIONEER CHARLIE and No. 4 DISTINCT ASSET will be the A plays in this pick three. Pioneer Charlie makes his first start of the year for trainer Mike Stidham who is superb off the bench. He takes a significant drop and gets a likely hungry returning Rafael Bejarano to ride. Distinct Asset is heading the right way. He has speed and drops.
No. 5 SUPERBOOT (B) dueled and faded versus more expensive on turf last time. He drops and may like synthetic. No. 9 VAVOOM (C) dueled and fizzled June 29 at Santa Anita but that was his first start in 10 months. Trainer Tim Yakteen saw fit to claim him, adds blinkers and Joe Talamo rides.
A’s: No. 4 Distinct Asset, No. 8 Pioneer Charlie
B’s: No. 5 Superboot
C’s: No. 9 Vavoom
Race 5
No. 4 JULIO’S GOLD (A) takes a significant drop after two dull races at Santa Anita following a string of good outings. The drop and return to synthetic (on which she’s 2 for 3) may do the trick. No. 6 ONE MAGICAL GIRL (A) hasn’t run since the winter when a big winner over this kind at Santa Anita. She’s fired fresh before and has run well here. No. 3 GOLDILOCKS PLANET (B) was going well at Santa Anita this past winter but hasn’t been seen since, which is a tad alarming particularly as her return is coupled with a big drop. The only time she ran here, last Aug. 1, she won. No. 1 RUN SOPHIA RUN (C) held good form on Emerald Downs dirt recently but moves to synthetic here. Her best work (all four wins) has come on synthetic.
A’s: No. 4 Julio’s Gold, No. 6 One Magical Girl
B’s: No. 3 Goldilocks Planet
C’s: No. 1 Run Sophia Run