Hammersly: How I'd play Del Mar on Sunday, Aug. 31
You’re never in a hurry to take a short price. In fact, oftentimes, it should send you scampering in another direction, where you instead look for options to go against public opinion.
There are times, however, when the use of a solid, well-backed horse can be a wonderful thing, i.e., for your multi-race wagers.
The key horse for us today is BROKEN SWORD. Yes, she’s going to be favored in race 7, the Grade 3 Torrey Pines (opens at 5-2 and may go lower). But she’s not only the most likely winner on the card. She seems to be in a great spot to be reliable. Using her as you linchpin for your multi-race wagers allows you to spread in the surrounding races in the hopes you can catch your price there.
Broken Sword comes off an excellent second in the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch here, and anything close to a repeat of that effort beats these. So if she’s our big horse, here’s a quick look at some of our options for the surrounding pick threes.
Race 5 – JOJO WARRIOR won’t be a price coming off a big win June 21 in the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita, but the daughter of Pioneerof the Nile fits very well here. She has the speed to get position but isn’t a need-the-lead type, which may be critical here as there are three others signed up who figure to go, go, go early. MARGOT MACHANCE has been freshened, and her closing style may play well here, too, and at a price.
Race 6 – BOOZER is a legitimate favorite after a troubled third at this level here Aug. 9. His tactical speed should have him in it from the bell. HUSBAND’S FOLLY ran second, beating Boozer in that Aug. 9 race. The veteran continues his sharp form and figures to be coming. He routinely gets ignored at the windows. QUALITY PLAN tries grass for the first time, is bred for it, has been working strongly, and has flashed ability.
Race 7 – Broken Sword
Race 8 – DIAMOND OF BLUE thinks he owns this place (3 for 5 here) and comes off a monster sprint win here Aug. 17. He moves to a route, but the last time he routed was here Aug. 25, 2013 – and he led all the way to win a laugher by 6 1/2 lengths. SIZZLIN’ JOE drops, and that may be the key. He handled this track well a year ago. CARLOT COWBOY fizzled for $20,000 here July 17, but John Sadler claimed him and moved him to a route and up in price ($22,500) here Aug. 7, and the horse responded with a fine second. It’s great to see another value hike by Sadler.
Race 9 – ENTERPRISING is the West’s top 3-year-old turfer, but this spot came up tough. His wins in the Oceanside and Grade 3 La Jolla stamp him the one to beat. FLAMBOYANT did beat the top pick in the spring and comes off a solid third in the very tough Grade 1 Belmont Derby behind Mr. Speaker (New York’s top 3-year-old turfer) and Adelaide (a top-class Irish runner who next easily won the Grade 1 Secretariat). AVENTADOR faced some of France’s best, and trainer Darrell Vienna has had ample success over the years with imports, particularly for these owners, and HOME RUN KITTEN flashed big talent at Santa Anita in the spring, finishing a close second to Flamboyant (beaten just a neck) in the La Puente while finishing ahead of Enterprising. He then won a tough optional claimer on turf there May 18 and has been freshened since rallying to win the Singletary on grass there June 21.