Hammersly: Del Mar pick three play for Saturday, Aug. 30
Some good-sized, competitive fields in the middle of the card make the pick three for races 5-7 intriguing and potentially profitable.
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Race 5
ROVENNA (4) was on a roll from last fall to this spring, winning three California-bred stakes and placing in three others. That earned her a shot at the Grade 3 Senorita on the Santa Anita turf June 28. She faded to ninth in that race, but she moved back down in class, back to sprinting and back to synthetic and rebounded, finishing a sharp second last out. She looks back on track and figures tough here at the same level. LEMON DE ORO (1) added blinkers and finished with good energy to be third, beaten just a half-length in a turf sprint here July 31. The winner of that race, Mahalo Princess, was winning her second straight race. Blinkers, a drop and return to sprinting got her back on track, and now she returns to synthetic, which may be her best game.
SAM’S SISTER (3) was impressive winning her debut here July 25. She broke slowly but had the speed to be in contention by the first margin call and the guts to take the lead into the lane and hold on. GOODBYE ROSELINA (7) was only 1 3/4 lengths behind LEMON DE ORO in that July 31 turf sprint, and she had traffic issues. TARN (8) was eased in her U.S. debut here July 25 after she was badly impeded by a spill. It’s encouraging that trainer Richard Mandella brings her back at the same level, and she did show talent in Ireland.
A’s) 1, 4
B’s) 3, 7
C’s) 8
Race 6
It’s a maiden race with a number of firsters signed up, but some of the experienced hands have shown ample talent, so it may not be crucial that you can’t see the warm-up and can’t see the wagering action before you place your pick three wager. Of course, if you prefer, you could wait so you can see the horses and wagering action and use this as the first leg of the next pick three (races 6-8).
CONQUEST ARCHANGEL (8) ran on for second here July 20, chasing home Luminance, who many believe is the top juvenile filly on this circuit. Her run looks even better when you note the gal who finished 2 3/4 lengths behind her in third came right back to win. CALL TO CONGRATS (1) finished nicely to be second in her debut here Aug. 2, and the gal she chased, impressive winner Her Emmynency, is entered in Saturday’s Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante and rates as a contender.
BENNETT JEAN (6) showed talent when second in her only start, which came at Santa Anita June 5. She’s been working smartly (bullet 35.80 move here Aug. 27). NOTHING TO WEAR (3) has worked well and is kin to graded stakes winner Wishing Gate.
A’s) 1, 8
B’s) 6
C’s) 3
Race 7
HOG’S HOLLOW (7) found 1 3/8 miles, a layoff and tougher foes too much to handle here July 24, but he moved in for a tag, cut back in distance, tried synthetic and prevailed here Aug. 13. He returns to turf, surely his best game, and it’s nice to see they do not again risk him for a tag. PRESS BARON (5) looks headed the right way and may be nice claim by Richard Baltas. After running fourth for $50,000 on the main track here Aug. 14, he returns to turf, adds blinkers and does not run for a tag. It’s also nice to see Rafael Bejarano stays.
TIGAH (4) found the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile waters too deep here Sunday. This is a much better level, and trainer Barry Abrams has had plenty of success when wheeling a horse back so quickly. PERFECT SET (6) looked like a new horse blasting lesser on the main track. He was claimed, is brought back without a tag attached, moves to turf and has worked well.
MICELI (2) came back after three months to be a sharp second against lesser. He’s given an encouraging step up in class, has done his best work on turf, and that last run may be a sign he’s ready to get back to top form after the layoff. LITTLE JERRY (3) was second, only a head behind HOG’S HOLLOW in that Aug. 13 race. That was on the main track, and while this guy is 0 for 9 on grass, he has run some decent races on it vs. tougher.
A’s) 5, 7
B’s) 4, 6
C’s) 2, 3