Hammersly: Del Mar pick three for Sunday, Nov. 16
Some small fields early in the card dampen enthusiasm some for a pick three shot, as do two races late on the card full of firsters (races 7, 9). In between, however, races 4-6 have decent-sized fields and some form on which to base a wager, so we’ll take a look there.
Race 4
TOSHEEN (#2) may be sitting on a win. He comes off a sharp second vs. more expensive runners on the Santa Anita turf Oct.16. The winner of that race, Number Five, almost surely would be favored here. CRUX (#1) moved to turf for the first time at Santa Anita on Oct. 29 and gamely led every step of the way. Obviously, the surface suits, and after beating elders, he moves in to face peers (3-year-olds) only. KOZANI (#7) gamely beat maidens on the Santa Anita turf April 25 and then had a brutal post and a wide trip when also overmatched there May 18. He hasn’t been seen since but has worked well for this return with a significant drop.
A’s) 1, 2
B’s) 7
C’s) None
Race 5
SMOKEY’S LEGACY (#10) was a fine second in his debut on this track at this level July 18. He was then a well-beaten third for $50,000 here Aug. 28 and fourth as the favorite for $50,000 at Santa Anita on Oct. 24. The drop may be just what the doctor ordered. BITTER HEAT (#4) comes off two ugly outings at Santa Anita in October, but not only did both come on dirt, they came vs. tougher. He drops and moves to synthetic and ran nicely over this track in August, with two seconds in two starts. DUNNE FOR NOW (#2) showed speed vs. straight maidens on turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 24. Yes, he faded, but he was facing tougher, it was his debut, and he was on turf. He takes a big drop, has that run under his belt, and switches surfaces. BOSS CAT (#9) ran on well in his debut at this level here Aug. 28 and was claimed. He was then a nice second for $30,000 at Santa Anita last month and drops back to his claimed level. ELEVEN ZIP (#3) appears to be getting the hang of it. He ran nicely on this course July 30 when finishing well despite trouble for fourth at this trip and level.
A’s) 4, 10
B’s) 2, 9
C’s) 3
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Race 6
DYNAMO DIXIE (#7) did lots of good work on synthetic in Northern California. He invades for Glatt with a bullet work and Bejarano. SIR BARCLAY (#4) found turf and tougher too much to handle at Santa Anita on Oct. 19. He’s back to a track you know he likes (won here Aug. 9) and moves to a much better level. BOURNE HOT (#2) has speed and handled this track well in the summer of 2013. A sharp second at Santa Anita on Oct. 18 says he comes here sharp. W. GILES (#8) can sizzle early and can be quite dangerous when in the mood. A bullet work at Los Alamitos on Tuesday says he’s doing well. ECHO ZULU (#3) dueled and fizzled vs. tougher $20,000 foes at Santa Anita on Oct. 26. Not only was he facing tougher, but that was his first start of the year (first outing in 10 months), so he can certainly improve. Note a sharp second in his only try over this track in August 2013.
A’s) 4, 7
B’s) 2, 8
C’s) 3