Hammersly: How I'd play Del Mar on Friday, Aug. 15

Some options sprinkled around the seven-race card give you alternatives for your doubles and multiple-race wagers.

Race 1

KINGS ADVENTURE figures to be favored in this $40K maiden-claiming sprint, as the son of Grand Slam comes off a strong fourth, beaten less than a length, against straight maidens over this track July 19. He’s worked well since and takes the most important drop in the game – straight maiden to maiden claiming.

He is 9-5 on the morning line, but is a potential solid single and you can spread and hope to find a price in race 2 to boost your double payoff.

Race 3

BOAT TRIP is interesting at a price. He’s capable of big things, having rallied to nearly win the Grade 3 Eddie D down the hill at Santa Anita last Sept. 27 and winning the Hollywood Turf express in a dead heat Dec. 8. His three starts this year weren’t too hot, but there’s cause for optimism.

He ran sixth in a turf sprint here July 18. That was his first start in six months. He can benefit from that outing, and while he’s been primarily sprinting he’s won before at this mile trip. Also, his style may play well here – he has enough speed to get position and there are a few speedsters in here to provide a brisk, contested pace, which may set things up nicely for him. The price figures more than adequate, too (he’s 5-1 on the morning line).

Race 4

SPRING BREEZE (3-1 on the morning line) won by 7 1/4 lengths for $20K here just over a year ago. After running fifth for $20K at Hollywood ParkDec. 13 she wasn’t seen again until July 23, when she resurfaced here for $12,500. She got away very poorly (and her main asset is her speed), sitting last early. However, she got going decently in the lane, finishing fourth behind the sharp Woebegon. She can benefit from that outing and the two-level drop.

Race 5

HOLY LUTE (5-2 on the morning line) may be the most important horse of the day. He figures to be favored based on his superb local form. He broke his maiden here a year ago and then jumped right into stakes ranks in the El Cajon and won that, too.

He found graded stakes foes too much to handle and after a vacation has come back with improving form, topped off by a superb second (beaten just a nose) when returned to this track July 19. He loves it here, and an added half-furlong from his last race can only help.

He can be your linchpin in the pick six, pick threes, and the end-of-the-card pick four.