Hammersly: How I'd play Del Mar on Wednesday, Aug. 6

A decent-sized pick six carryover requires some attention. And just two maiden races in the sequence (races 5, 8) mean you’re looking mostly at familiar faces, as opposed to dealing with a ton of firsters where you’re often grasping at straws. The two maiden races are inscrutable, as you might have guessed, so spreading there seems essential. Here’s a look at the other four races in the sequence which might help you pare your ticket to keep in line with your budget.

Race 3
CHAMPION RISK looked super blasting maiden claimers over this track July 18 and trainer Tim Yakteen not only saw fit to claim her for $40K but he brings her back in a spot where she can’t be claimed away. Yes, it’s first time vs. winners, a big hurdle, but obviously she likes it here, and a bullet three-furlong since on July 31 (35.80) say she holds her edge. MYRNA LOU is an option as she whipped maidens on Santa Anita dirt June 8 and was then second in a stakes on dirt at Pleasanton July 5. This is her first try on synthetic.

Race 4
CAYANNA has been in superb form since the spring as she posted two wins at Golden Gate in April and posted a pair of seconds there in May. She was claimed for $12,500 out of her last start May 30. She’s been freshened since and drops, which is a tad worrisome, but Rafael Bejarano sees fit to ride and she’s been working steadily here of late. ACUTE won her only start here, just over a year ago. After some dull form at Santa Anita this spring she’s been freshened. That, the drop and return to this track may snap her back to life.

Race 6
This race is awfully competitive, and along with the two maiden races it may be your best chance to nab a price. MORE STORMYWEATHER was third here July 19 for $32K. Trainer Mark Glatt claimed her (27 percent off a claim) and it’s encouraging he brings her back without a tag attached and gets his main man Bejarano to do the steering. MIDNIGHT LADY was big here last year with two fine outings, including a romping win. She’s been off since some modest turf races at Santa Anita. LITTLE BIT LUCKY ran on nicely to be second to Mahalo Princess at Santa Anita June 19. Mahalo Princess came right back to win here. MY MONET, who looked so good romping in her first two starts, both sprints, returns to the short game after fading to seventh in a turf route at Santa Anita June 5, though this marks her first synthetic try.

Race 7
This looks to be a battle of the two favorites. CAVAL looked super dueling and drawing off at Santa Anita to easily beat maidens in her only start June 19. She didn’t just win clear but she won geared down. It’s first time vs. winners and first time on synthetic, but she certainly showed talent and she’s worked well over this track. SUNSET GLOW wired maidens, including boys, on turf at Belmont Park June 6. That earned her a trip across the ocean to Royal Ascot in England where she was a fine second in a Group 3, beating 19 rivals. Since returning to the U.S. she showed her readiness with a bullet five-furlong work here July 30 (59.60).