McAnally has a pair to kick off pick six

DEL MAR, Calif. - Horses such as Rock the Rock may perplex bettors trying to solve Sunday's $1 million-guaranteed pick six pool at Del Mar.

Rock the Rock makes his second start in a maiden race over 1 1/8 miles on turf, the sixth race on the 11-race program. Normally, a maiden race on turf would not draw significant attention, but its presence as the first leg of a lucrative pick six pool makes the race more appealing to bettors.

Sunday's pick six sequence includes four consecutive stakes from the seventh through 10th races - the Rancho Bernardo Handicap, Pat O'Brien Handicap, Del Mar Mile, and Pacific Classic - and a seven-furlong optional claimer in the final race.

Rock the Rock is owned by breeder Debbie McAnally, and trained by her husband, Ron. A 4-year-old colt, Rock the Rock has an outstanding pedigree, by Giant's Causeway out of the Olympio mare Olympic Charmer. Rock the Rock is a full brother to the three-time stakes winner Charm the Giant, who earned $336,309, and a half-brother to Charming Legacy, who earned $158,760.

Both Charm the Giant and Charming Legacy thrived on turf, and Ron McAnally is confident that Rock the Rock will show that ability as well. He is worried about Sunday's distance, though.

"The horse has only had one sprint race," McAnally said. "He's ready to go seven furlongs, but sometimes horses will fool you. They'll be fitter than you think.

"He's bred to go that far. He has had nagging problems, a tibia and an ankle."

McAnally has two starters in the race, including Red Door Drive, still a maiden after eight starts. Red Door Drive was a troubled second in a maiden race here on Aug. 2.

Asked if he thought Red Door Drive could win, McAnally said, "I think so. He's doing good. He's fit enough."

Red Door Drive is one of four horses in the field that ran second or third in their last start. Cavanal and Dollar Mountain were second last time, while Left Unsaid finished third.

A Headley late double?

Trainer Bruce Headley has his sights set on conquering Sunday's late daily double. He starts Surf Cat in the $1 million Pacific Classic and Black Wolf in the seven-furlong optional claimer.

Black Wolf has drawn the rail in a field of 12. A 5-year-old horse, Black Wolf was fourth in an allowance race at Hollywood Park on June 28, but has kept good company in his recent workouts, Headley said. Last Tuesday, Black Wolf worked in company with Surf Cat, with both going five furlongs.

"I let them work head and head," Headley said.

Surf Cat was timed in 57.60, while Black Wolf was timed in 58 seconds.

Black Wolf is likely to try for the early lead, and could face a threat from Banner Lodge, who is making his first start since April for trainer John Sadler. Banner Lodge has a series of quick workouts since late July over five and six furlongs.

The field also includes Running Onasugarhi and Fine Flyer, who were a close second and third in an allowance race here on July 26.

Glatt takes two shots

The first half of the program includes two maiden special weight races for 2-year-olds. Trainer Mark Glatt has runners in both races.

Brooke's Fantasy, by Mizzen Mast, starts in the second race, which is for fillies over six furlongs and will have 12 starters. Glatt is cautious about her chances on Sunday.

"Brooke's Fantasy wants to run a little farther," Glatt said. "She acts like a quality filly."

He is more enthusiastic about the short-term prospects of When We Met, who starts in the fourth race. When We Met is part of a 12-horse field. He was purchased for $62,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale last fall and is owned by Plan B Stable.

"He's breezed very well," Glatt said. "I have a feeling he'll need more ground. He acts like a professional. He's worked behind horses."

Glatt was encouraged that When We Met worked well in company with the 4-year-old filly La Tee, who starts in the Rancho Bernardo Handicap.

"The horse worked with La Tee and gave her a little bit of a head start, but he held his own," Glatt said.

The fourth race field includes the first-time starter Majormotionpicture, a highly regarded colt by Action This Day who is trained by Mike Machowsky. Majormotionpicture has breezed five furlongs quickly in his last two workouts.