Hammersly: How I'd play Del Mar on Friday, Aug. 1

Three maiden races in the first four contests on the card make diving in early a tad risky, though one option that may play well in your multi-race wagers is to key likely Race 2 favorite WONDERFUL UNION. The 4-year-old gelding has speed, which has played well here, has been freshened, drops and boasts some sharp works for Ron Ellis, who is certainly strong off this kind of layoff (22 percent) and whose runners are firing. That gives you a chance to spread in Races 1, 3 and 4.

There is some appeal afterward, however. GLORIOUS REBECCA goes first time off the claim for trainer Michael Pender in Race 5. Pender is not only 3 for his first 9 (33 percent) this meet but he’s been good off the claim (16 percent). The filly posted a bullet work over this track July 13 (4fs in 47.40, best of 46 at that distance that day) which is a big thumbs-up. She’s also done her best work on synthetic and gets back to such footing. She can be a key for your late-card multi-race plays.

That helps with big, contentious fields in the day’s final three contests.

JADE WITH ENVY, HIGHLY RATED and MARKET QUOTE loom major players in a tough Cal-bred optional claiming route in Race 6 and all three likely must be used. That race may even more perplexing now that it’s to come off the turf and instead go on the main track.

Race 7 is a terrific chance to find your bomb as the Real Good Deal, a seven-furlong event for Cal-bred 3-year-olds, gives you lots of options. Among them are ALERT BAY (finished in the tri in all 8 races, freshened since a strong 2nd beaten only a head in a stakes at Golden Gate June 8, with a recent bullet work), G. G. RYDER (far from disgraced in the Oceanside on turf here July 17 when 5th but beaten just 2 1/4 lengths, and prior to that just a half-length behind ALERT BAY in the aforementioned Golden Gate stakes June 8), RED OUTLAW (unbeaten in three starts, making first start in over five months but proven fresh) and TRUE TEN (making his first start in over three months but who has talent, lures Rafael Bejarano and has been working splendidly for this return).

If you feel comfortable enough to cut down your options in those two races that can help you in the nightcap (Race 8), an inscrutable maiden claimer where not a lot of talent has been shown. Two of interest are UNCLE LUCK, who did flash some talent when 3rd in his Santa Anita debut March 28 and drops back in for a tag for his first start in three months after fading vs. straight maidens) and BERLUSCONI, who returns after a layoff of over six months from a race that had three next-out winners with some nice works for trainer Kristin Mulhall, whose horses are showing up well this meet (3 for first 12, 25 percent).