Hammersly: Del Mar pick three for Wednesday, Aug. 5
Two maiden races with full fields in the middle of the card (races 4, 5) make a multi-race play tricky at best. However, a pick three starting with race 5, giving you a chance to see the board and see the horses in the paddock and on the track, might be a play, particularly since you can take a stand in races 6 and 7.
Race 5
I’LL SHOW ME (#6) is interesting. The $1.3 million daughter of Bernardini debuted last summer at Saratoga and ran sixth. She hasn’t run since but has worked well for new trainer Ron Ellis. Maybe she’ll show the reason for that price tag here. LILY POD (#8) might be the one to beat coming off a fine debut second at Los Alamitos on July 2 for sharp trainer Richard Baltas. Rider Rafael Bejarano stays with her. Even so, STURDY ONE (#3) finished just a neck behind her, so she merits respect as well. EXPLICABLE (#1) has been freshened a bit since a solid third against similar at Santa Anita on June 20, while SOUL FLYER (#2) hasn’t run in more than a year but showed talent when last seen and has worked smartly for a trainer (Julio Canani) who’s quite capable off the bench. AUDRA (#5) has worked sharply for her debut for Phil D’Amato, who is quite capable first time out.
A’s) 6, 8
B’s) 1, 2, 3
C’s) 5
Race 6
MRAZEK (#1) looks like a solid ‘A’ as he’s done nothing wrong in three starts. Not only was he a good second in a stakes last time out at Los Alamitos (beaten just a head), but he finished well clear of the rest (7 1/4 lengths). He has the speed to use the rail. XINGTOTHEBONE (#4) was third, 2 1/4 lengths behind MRAZEK in second, in the Santa Anita Juvenile on June 21 and came back to romp by 5 1/2 lengths over maidens at Los Alamitos on July 4. He may have turned the corner.
A’s) 1
B’s) 4
C’s) None
Race 7
TARA’S TANGO (#8) comes off a strong second in the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita on June 20, beaten just a nose by Stellar Wind, a Grade 1 winner. She looks solid. SAVANNAH SKY (#7) has done little wrong for Baltas and figures to be finishing. CONQUEST CURLGIRL (#9) was a decent third in the aforementioned Summertime Oaks, 3 1/4 lengths behind TARA’S TANGO. She then ran decently on turf here July 17 but returns to dirt, which might be her preferred game. She’s worked well since, too. INTERJECT (#2) showed talent last fall and winter at Santa Anita before her form tailed off. She’s been freshened, and that might get her back on track.
A’s) 8
B’s) 7, 9
C’s) 2
:: See Mike Hammersly's pick three in DRF TicketMaker and bet it with DRF Bets.