Hammersly: How I'd play Del Mar on Thursday, July 24

HUGH KNEW in race 2 could be pivotal. Race 1 is loaded with firsters and the horse to beat appears to be SACRED TEMPLE, but that colt hasn’t run in nearly two months and has yet to run on synthetic and you don’t know if the firsters can run, so keying Sacred Temple in the early double seems a tad treacherous. But spreading some there may pay off if HUGH KNEW is your double/pick three linchpin in race 2. She tumbles in price and has proven turf ability. While she has ample speed she also has versatility – she’s shown he can stalk and finish.

Race 3 provides a chance to spread and maybe hit a price, namely with PEBBLE BEACH BABY, who goes first time off the claim for Mark Glatt (29% of claim) and who lures Rafael Bejarano. BURNS TURN has done good work and makes her first start off the claim for Bill Spawr (13%). Spawr claimed her for $25,000, she’s been freshened and returns for the same price. And while the bulk of her work has been on turf she’s finished first and second in her only two synthetic tries.

COCONUT CREAM PIE is intriguing in Race 5. It took a while for the filly to finally get her diploma but when she did it, man, did she do it. She looked smashing whipping maiden claimers on dirt at Sant Anita June 13, her first start in four months. Yes, that means it is her first time vs. winners and she’s back to turf and back to routing, but the way she won hinted she may have come back a brand new filly, and note trainer Jeff Mullins does not again risk her for a tag. She’s handled turf very nicely before, too. Using her in your multi-race wagers along with likely favorites LAKOTA ROAD and HANSERELLA seems best, as well as hooking her up in exactas with those two.

Race 7 is the chance to take a swing with an interesting raider. MIKE MAN’S GOLD invades from Emerald Downs. The 4-year-old has never run on synthetic footing. However, he comes here with no class drop, and after a couple stakes tries up there was a strong second to the very tough multiple-stakes-winning veteran Jebrica there June 28. That runner would have a big, big shot in here.

Using MIKE MAN'S GOLD with the sharp REGALLY SOUL and comebacking HADFUNLASTNIGHT (3 for 6 here) may pay off. Those three can be linked with STREET MAVEN, AFRICAN OIL and HOG’S HOLLOW in Race 8, and with POSITIVO, ZIPPINGAROUNDTOWN and HULA GIRL in Race 9 for your pick threes.