King: How I'd play Del Mar for Friday, Aug. 29

Friday’s seven-race card kicks off with a good horse to key in the early daily double: Missing Groom (#4, 2-1).

Third over the track in his most recent start, he appears to be rounding back into form. And at his best, he is clearly the fastest horse in the race.

He was edged for the place in his last start by today's rival Beach Flyer (#7, 5-2), but on the basis of overall accomplishments, Missing Groom is the superior horse.

* Those to use in the second half of the double:

Warren’s Assassin (#8, 6-1), who won two in a row before a third in a 12-horse field recently at Del Mar, is the value of the second race, and if she wins it would be a nice result to the daily double.

Nava Nataly (#5, 5-1), also goes on the tickets. She offers a nice price and is a mare with quality form on dirt and synthetic tracks.

As for the others, I will take a stand against favored Chippette (#2, 5-2) and others exiting a slowly run Aug. 1 race at Del Mar.

Bombs Away in the fifth

Although I question whether Know Plans (#5, 15-1) will stick to his generous morning line in the fifth race, he still looks like a live longshot if he starts at 10-1 or more.

Bought privately and turned over to trainer Phil D’Amato after a fast starter allowance triumph July 17, he disappointed a bit in his first start for his new connections with a fourth-place finish. But he was at least competitive for six furlongs of that mile race, and now may fare better in his second start for this barn.