Hammersly: How I'd play Del Mar on Wednesday, Aug. 5
A couple of horses on the card could prove useful for your in-race and multi-race wagers.
Race 1
CHIPS ALL IN is an old class horse. After being gone a year, he came back to be a sharp second for $40,000 down the hill at Santa Anita on June 6, showing that he still had gas in the tank. His connections felt good enough about him to ship to Pleasanton for a dirt-sprint stakes July 5. That didn’t go so well (pressed the pace, faded to eighth), but he’s back to his preferred footing here (turf) and is down in class. And while he’s in for a tag, it’s still a hefty one ($50,000), so by no means does this look like a giveaway.
In-race wager options include keying him with NO SILENT (another back-classer who can fire fresh), BOBBY Z MAN (freshened since facing some toughies on turf at Santa Anita this spring), EMBELLISHING BOB (a dangerous raider with back class who has handled turf), and U S CITIZEN (a rugged pro proven at this level and higher, going first time off the claim by Bob Hess Jr.).
Race 4
YA YA GIRL has been knocking on the door and looks ready to break through. She’s stuck on the far outside in this 1 1/16-mile maiden turf event but has some versatility to give rider Rafael Bejarano some options so he can avoid getting hung out to dry. She can be used with KATY DRAMA (proven effective routing on turf, moves to the rail, where she can use her speed), THREE BLONDES (has done her best work on this course and drops in class), and LIRICA HEAT (comes off a respectable fifth against winners here July 31).
For multi-race wagers, BOOK THIRTY FOUR in race 3 may be useful to link with our two highlighted runners. The class dropper looks poised for action in race 3, so with CHIPS ALL IN in race 1, it allows you to spread a bit in a tough race 2 in the first pick three. Linked with YA YA GIRL in the races 3-5 pick three, it allows you to spread in the inscrutable race 5, a full-field maiden sprint loaded with firsters and question marks.