Hammersly: Del Mar pick three play for Friday, Nov. 27

A speed horse, another dropping in class and another who may be peaking add up to an early pick-three play (races 2-4) on the Friday card at Del Mar.

:: See Michael Hammersly’s pick three play in DRF TicketMaker and bet it with DRF Bets

Race 2
OIL (#1) is not only proven on this course at this five-furlong trip (he won here at the distance Aug. 29), but with his speed and the rail looks well spotted for another good run. After his August win he ran third in a strong dirt sprint at Santa Anita against tougher, then returned her and ran fourth against open N1X foes at this trip Nov. 15. He moves further down in class in this $35,000-$40,000 claiming race, and looks like the main speed.

GIANT EGO (#9) hasn’t won since early 2014 but may be at his best at Del Mar. He was second in a race just like this here Aug. 30. He was then fourth for $32,000 down the hill at Santa Anita and was claimed by Steve Miyadi. He returned to this course and this distance for $45,000 Nov. 1 and finished second. SECOND PROPOSAL (#5) rallied for second and third in his last two starts, his first two outings on grass. His third on Nov. 1 came for $50,000 on this course at this trip, so Friday’s drop may be key. BACK TO BAKO (#10) was claimed for $32,000 by Jerry Hollendorfer (27 percent win rate off a claim) at Santa Anita Oct. 23. He dueled for the lead and faded to seventh in that turf route. He’s back to sprinting, and that may be his best game. He has two wins sprinting.

A’s) 1
B’s) 5, 9, 10
C’s) None

Race 3
MACKENZIES MOMENT (#5) hinted at ability in the spring at Santa Anita, with three starts vs. tougher. She’s been off since then and has worked strongly for her return. She gets a significant drop in class for this maiden-claiming race, and her rider, Rafael Bejarano, has done well when teamed with her trainer, Doug O’Neill. BOLT UP (#9) came back after nearly 10 months at Santa Anita Oct. 23. She stalked the pace in a race at this level and and make a bold move into the lane before flattening out to finish third. She can certainly benefit from that outings and has put in three works since.

SECRET CHORDS (#4) was a strong third in her straight maiden debut here 353 days ago. She didn't race again until Nov. 6, when she again faced straight maidens, dueling and giving way badly to finish last of 10. It’s encouraging there’s not another layoff sinc,e and now trainer Eddie Truman gives her a significant drop. FLOWINWITHETHEBREEZ (#1) came back after exactly a year off at Santa Anita Oct. 23. She stalked the pace, encountered traffic, and stayed on for fourth. She can surely improve.

A’s) 5, 9
B’s) 1, 4
C’s) None

Race 4
TIZ a KISS (#9) may be ready to peak in this 1 1/16-mile optional-claiming race on turf. After a couple so-so outings she added blinkers for her Oct. 29 run here and finished well to be second. She may be winless in nine turf tries but has run well on grass. DREAMOLOGIST (#11) looked super blasting maidens here Sept. 4. That earned her a stakes shot in the Grade 3 Autumn Miss at Santa Anita Oct. 17, and she set a fast pace and fizzled. She gets some needed class relief here, which may get her back on track.

HOLOGRAEME (#4) has been off since finishing a troubled fifth here Aug. 29. HALLJOY (#3) took a step forward when third at Santa Anita last time out Oct. 11, and another move forward can put her in the mix. BELLE ET BETE (#5) was claimed by Phil D’Amato for $40,000 when fifth here July 29 and immediately paid dividends by coming back to win for $45,000 here Aug. 20. She’s been off since then and returns with no tag attached.

CIRCLING (#12) didn’t care for dirt here Nov. 13 and returns to her preferred footing. Her two best U.S. efforts, both second-place finishes, came on this course.

A’s) 9, 11
B’s) 3, 4, 5
C’s) 12