Hammersly: Del Mar pick three play for Sunday, Nov. 23
A middle-of-the-card pick three (races 4-6) holds some interest on Sunday because it does not include a maiden race, so you have some established form on which to base your wager.
Race 4
NIGHTTIMING (#1) appears to have turned the corner. She was a sharp second on this course Aug. 31 and then blasted maidens on turf at Santa Anita Oct. 17. ENDURING ERIN (#8) merits ample respect as she’s a proven commodity at this level, coming off a sharp second on the Santa Anita turf Nov. 2. LETHAL STORY (#7) posted her lone win here and finished full of run to be third, just a neck behind Enduring Erin in that Nov. 2 race at this level at Santa Anita. CRAVIN’ THE HEAT (#4) hasn’t done much on turf (0 for 8) but trainer Bill Spawr not only saw fit to claim her last time, he moves her to turf and puts her in a spot where he can’t lose her via a claim.
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A’s) 1, 8
B’s) 7
C’s) 4
Race 5
GRANDSTAND (#1) is surely the one to beat as he was a strong second here Aug. 31 for $32,000, earning a big Beyer (91), and a sharp second for $32,000 on turf at Santa Anita Oct. 24. He obviously handles the track. He drops a bunch, which gives some cause for pause, and may mean you’ll need another ‘A’ horse here. That could be BLACKFORD (#8). He was second while no match for a runaway winner at Santa Anita for this same price Oct. 17 but goes from open to restricted company for a sharp trainer. TRIBAL DUDE (#3) comes off two strong efforts over this track for this price, including a win over N2L foes Nov. 8 and second at this level (N3L) Nov. 15. All his work has come sprinting so this mile trip is a new hurdle. MOONLIT METEOR (#5) posted his maiden win over this track in September 2013. Returning to this footing with a sizeable drop may do the trick.
A’s) 1, 8
B’s) 3
C’s) 5
Race 6
WHINE FOR WINE (#6) might not only be your key horse but may be a price. He was fourth in the Real Good Deal here Aug. 1 and the 1-2-3 finishers all came right back to win. After a freshening he ran on smartly for fourth, beaten less than a length, at this level at Santa Anita Oct. 31. He’s worked smartly since and may be sitting on a top try. CELTIC MOON (#1) showed much promise here last year, running second in a Grade 2. After fading in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity he wasn’t seen for 11 months and came back dull on turf here Aug. 10. He can surely do better, and the move to this surface and shorter trip may help. APOLLO TEN (#3) has been knocking on the door and may be ready to break through, while KRISTO (#4), a $500,000 son of Distorted Humor who was on many a Derby list this past winter before his star faded, has worked strongly, and this may be his best game.
A’s) 6
B’s) 1, 3
C’s) 4