Hammersly: How I'd play Del Mar on Wednesday, Aug. 13

Much of the focus will center on the pick six carryover. There are other options, however, on the card. For instance, the early double could help you fund your pick six attack, and there are a couple other horses on the card who, while attractive for that pick six ticket, also lend themselves to use in the pick three or pick four.

In Race 1, ONTOLOGY may well go favored as he plunges in class from a Grade 3 to $20K claimer for his first start in seven months. But, hey, they don’t give anything away out here and his obvious back-class means the money will roll in. So he’ll surely be undervalued considering the question marks.

LOCAL ONE THIRTY is dropping as well but it’s hardly as severe ($40K to $20K) and there’s no long layoff in the mix, either. The son of Stroll looked super winning on Arlington’s Polytrack May 4. He’s been facing tougher in three turf starts since, two there and then in his local bow July 25, so he may appreciate not only the drop but the surface switch. He has the speed to be in a good spot from the bell. And it’s most encouraging Rafael Bejarano stays with him.

He’s the 5-2 second choice on the morning line, so he’s not your price play, though your double payoffs would certainly be buoyed if you can beat ONTOLOGY.

Race 2 may require a spread. SUSAN B. GOOD (2-1) and THREE BLONDES (5-2) are solid and have been knocking heads of late. They surely figure in the mix. An additional option at a price is CEE’S TIZZY BELLE (6-1). The sister of top-class turfer Tiz Flirtatious has burned some money but she’s flashed ability at times and if able to put it all together could have a say.

In race 3, HURRICANE LAKE (3-1) won two straight at Golden Gate before finishing a solid third there June 5. He was claimed that day by Mark Glatt, who’s been superb off a claim (26 percent). He’s been freshened since and returns for the same price, so there’s no panicky drop. Oh, and the only other time he set foot on this track he won.

In race 7, CARACORTADO has run just twice since January 2012, but he comes off a very nice third in a turf sprint here July 18 against some tough customers. He may not be a graded stakes horse any longer at age 7, but he still showed a burst.

Moving to Polytrack should be no problem, as he’s 4 for 6 on synthetic footing. The race shape may also play in his favor. He can still pack a late punch and there are at least a couple guys in here who want to go, go, go from the start, meaning he should get his kind of sharp, contested pace. He’s just 2-1 as the morning-line favorite but he can prove your linchpin for the numerous multi-race wagers.