Hersh: Del Mar late pick four play for Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019

Del Mar plans for the day rather fell apart when Toinette was scratched from the Yellow Ribbon (race 8), but I’ll try to beat Vasilika in that race anyway and land the late pick four with a modest $24 ticket, narrow on the front end, big spread to finish. Quick peek at the races.

Race 7
Cal-bred $50K maiden-claimers, and first-timer Goddess Aphrodite (#8) looks best to me, a homebred debuting off solid work pattern for hot Peter Miller barn. Second-timer Dunbow Road (#7) gets off the fence after a useful debut, while maybe Second Avenue (#2) was a race away coming back from a break last out.

Race 8
East Coast shipper Valedictorian (#6) could get an easy lead or a sweet pressing trip. Beau Recall (#1) had no chance to catch elite filly Rushing Fall last time and is a different horse the last two starts than when last she patrolled the SoCal turf courses.

Race 9
Initial instinct here was to spread all over the place in this N1X allowance, but while I’m not big on short prices coming out of maiden wins and into allowance, Message (#1) was undeniably impressive winning her second start and got a very favorable review in DRF Clocker for subsequent drill. Might just be a better filly.

Race 10
If you can narrow this thing down, more power to you.

$24 50-cent pick four, races 7-10 DMR 8/3/19

Race 7: 2,7,8

Race 8: 1,6

Race 9: 1

Race 10: 1,2,34,6,8,11,12