Hammersly: How I'd play Del Mar for Saturday, Sept. 5

At first it looked as if there would be a smorgasbord of options for Saturday’s 11-race card, but upon closer examination the first six races seem fairly inscrutable. So I'll try to make a splash later in the card.

The day’s plays hinge on two Richard Baltas trainees: ROCKPORT KAT (race 7) and TIZ A KISS (race 8).

ROCKPORT KAT faces winners for the first time in this seven-furlong optional claimer. After a dull debut at Gulfstream in July 2014 he wasn’t seen again for over a year. It was worth the wait. When he came back over this track for $62,500 July 31, he showed the speed to press the pace, took over in the lane, and drew off to win with a 96 Beyer Speed Figure. While there are some bounce fears - not to mention he's facing better - he’s has been given ample time since his last race and has been working strongly.

I’ll use him in-race in exactas and trifectas with NEW SUMMIT (smart maiden winner here Aug. 9, after a layoff), ROCKINATTEN (rallied well after a sluggish start here Aug. 15, after a layoff), WHINE FOR WIN (a dull 11th in his first start in six months, but capable of much better), ALLIDOISDREAMOFYOU (pressed a hot pace before weakening to sixth here Aug. 15, his first start after campaigning in the Midwest, and has a strong work since) and NATIVE TREASURE (a sharp second in a very tough turf sprint here Aug. 22; shown he’s capable on dirt).

Multi-race wagers are more difficult. Race 5 is loaded with 2-year-old firsters, and race 6 sees many in the field trying grass for the first time.

TIZ A KISS in race 8 it attractive on her own and may give you a reason to play the pick three from races 7-9. TIZ A KISS was gone 11 months but has come back with two smart outings, rallying for fifth (to fellow Baltas trainee Chaulk O Lattey) here July 25 and then finishing second, beaten a head, here Aug. 15. Those outings should set her up for a top effort and she’s reunited with rider Kent Desormeaux, who was up for her last win, which came here in July 2014.

In-race I’ll key her with FRANTDONTJUDGE (very sharp with two straight wins, both here), MISSY MOUSE (drops and back to her best footing) and CIRCLING (has a touch of class, cuts back in distance and drops).

ROCKPORT KAT and TIZ A KISS give you a couple "A" horses for this pick three. On the back end is the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante, where you can make a case for many of the 11 entrants. So, I’ll take a stand with the two Baltas runners and spread in the Debutante.

The pick three form races 8-10 may be playable as well, using TIZ A KISS in the first leg, spreading in the second leg, and then in race 10 employing horses. They are: ZURI CHOP (showed talent in France; drops from the Wickerr) TEXAS RYANO (proven solid at this level with a third, third and second on grass, all after 11 months off) and PATENTAR (seventh in his U.S. debut here Aug. 15 but showed better in England; there’s no layoff, no drop and Bejarano stays).