Hammersly: Del Mar pick three for Sunday, July 19
A big recent winner at Los Alamitos could prove key for a late pick three on the Sunday card (races 7-9) that also incorporates a competitive Grade 2 San Clemente renewal and a contentious, full-fielded restricted claimer.
Race 7
TURNOVER (#6) looked super in blasting rivals at Los Alamitos on July 4, winning geared down. Not only did he win easily, but it was his first start in more than 10 months and his first start against winners. If anything, he can move forward. Just in case he bounces, CHERUBIM (#4) looks like a capable ‘B,’ as he came back after six months to blast winners at Santa Anita on May 9 and was a sharp second in a very fast race at about this level there June 18. TOP FORTITUDE (#7) looked like a coming sprinter in the spring of 2014, but after fizzling in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Derby a year ago, he went to the sidelines and hasn’t been seen since. However, he’s worked smartly for his comeback and almost surely this (sprinting) is the game he wants.
A’s) 6
B’s) 4
C’s) 7
Race 8
PRIZE EXHIBIT (#5) had a couple of troubled trips at Santa Anita in the spring, then didn’t run badly when shipped to Penn National for the Penn Oaks. She returned to her Southern California base, and it all came together as she easily won the Grade 3 Senorita at Santa Anita on June 27. A repeat of that likely means the others are running for second. As noted, however, she has managed to find trouble a time or two. SPIRIT OF XIAN (#8) beat Prize Exhibit in a couple of stakes this spring at Santa Anita. She’s been freshened, and while her last two outings saw her on the lead, note that in her debut she rallied well from off the pace, so she’s by no means one-dimensional. In fact, the presence of speedster SUNSET GLOW likely means she’ll go back to stalking tactics, which she does well. SUNSET GLOW (#2) has loads of speed and quality. She’s a Grade 1 winner on synthetic here, Grade 1-placed on turf, Group 3-placed on turf in England, and comes off a nice second in a turf stakes at Belmont two months ago. She figures the one to catch. HER EMMYNENCY (#7) is just a neck away from being undefeated in four starts, that lone loss a game second to Sunset Glow in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante here last Aug. 30. She easily won her only grass start, a stakes at Santa Anita last Oct. 5, and after a long layoff (nearly died last year from a bout of colitis), she gamely beat elders at Arlington on June 20 to show that she’s back and thriving. PAULINA’S LOVE (#6) has come into her own for Richard Baltas with two straight wins, and while it’s a hefty step up in class today, she’s trending north and might be ready for such a task.
A’s) 5, 8
B’s) 2, 7
C’s) 6
Race 9
SECRET COMMAND (#2) and PUBLIC POLICY (#9) just ran second and third for $25,000, separated by a half-length at Santa Anita on May 25. That was SECRET COMMAND’s first start in six months, so he can surely improve with that run under his belt and with today’s two-level drop. PUBLIC POLICY has been knocking on the door for a few months now, and likewise, today’s drop may be key. BIG HAT CHARLIE (#5) may have put it all together as he stalked the pace and finished strongly to easily beat maidens. REBEL REBEL (#3) took off blinkers and won smartly over maidens at Arlington on June 14. He faces winners for the first time, has shipped for the first time, and is a question mark on dirt, but that last run may mean the light has gone on, and he worked smartly over this track July 14 (four furlongs in 48 seconds, second-fastest of 31 works that day).
A’s) 2, 9
B’s) 3, 5
C’s) None
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