Hammersly: Del Mar pick three play for Saturday, Aug. 9

The key here is Enterprising. The 3-year-old has emerged as the West’s top turf runner in his class, and while he looks like a short price to take the Grade 3 La Jolla (race 5) you can take that price and potentially turn it into quite a bit more using him as your linchpin for the this pick three sequence. It also helps you have good-sized fields in races 6 and 7 where you might be able to find that nice price.

:: Build your pick three ticket with DRF TicketMaker

Race 5

ENTERPRISING (#6) has evolved into the best 3-year-old turf male out West. He’d hinted at that earlier this spring but a smashing win in the Oceanside over this course more than confirmed that notion. Not only did he prove much the best, but many of his would-be rivals have opted not to confront him again. Yes, he beat Saturday foe ARGYLE CAT by only a neck, but this guy came from last place, had traffic issues, and was quite wide. He might not have any such hurdles in this smaller lineup. SCHOOLOFHARDROCKS (#2) has shown talent and may benefit from returning to home after a decent try (4th, beaten just 1 3/4 lengths in Arlington’s Grade 3 American Derby) last time. A return to his best makes him a player.

A’s) 6
B’s) 2
C’s) None

Race 6

A chance to spread here and in race 7 to try and catch a price. LONG HOT SUMMER (#8) has rehearsed well for his debut. LOVEFROMAFAR (#6) likewise has flashed talent in the a.m., particularly with a bullet 34.20 move here Aug. 5. DEFINITELY HOT (#4) showed talent when second in her debut at Santa Rosa July 25 and gets Bejarano for this. REALLY A PRINCESS (#3) ran well enough (third) in her debut to then get a shot at a stakes here July 18 when she was a respectable fourth after dueling, while I’LL TELL YOU WHAT (#2) has rehearsed well for this first run. TAKE BACK SPRING (#11) ran on for third in the CTBA Stakes here July 18. Today’s drop helps and there’s a jazzy work since.

A’s) 6, 8
B’s) 2, 3, 4
C’s) 11

Race 7

SWEET MARINI (#7) won the Fleet Treat here over a year ago in dazzling fashion and was third, albeit well beaten, in the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo here last Aug. 18. She hasn’t been seen since but has worked well for trainer Bob Baffert, who of course is superb off the bench. But this is no gimme. TASTE LIKE CANDY (#6) flashed big-time potential at the end of 2013 and earlier this year. She’s been freshened and drops after a steady stakes diet, with some strong works in tow. SWEET PROFIT (#5) was a decent third in a spot like this here July 20 as the favorite. She can improve off that as it was her first start in over five months. MUM’S TRUCKEE (#2) was a strong second, beating SWEET PROFIT, in a race like this here July 20, her first start in eight months. WASTED AT MIDNIGHT (#10) looked good whipping maidens at Santa Anita June 1 before chasing top filly Sunday Rules at this level there June 26 (and that gal would surely be favored vs. these), while CLASSY AVA (#11) was a smashing winner over maidens at Santa Anita May 10 but had a troubled start there June 26 when a no-factor fourth. She can improve off that run with a better start.

A’s) 6, 7
B’s) 2, 5
C’s) 10, 11