McGee: How I'd play Del Mar for Friday, July 24

I’m going to start out by pairing up horses in each of the first three races, both in exacta boxes and as part of rolling pick-3s (R1-3 and R2-4):

Race 1
RUSH OF DAY (1) drops for Spendthrift and Gary Stute; lurks from rail. JAZZED (2) still seems a worthwhile claim and also seems well spotted when going turf to dirt.

Race 2
MISSING GROOM (3) and STORM COMIN THRU (6) finished close together in what figures as a key race toward this; they’re capable of outkicking likely fave Chief of Staff, who’s liable to be overbet from stakes company.

Race 3
CARLOS DANGEROUS (3) comes well meant, adding Bejarano; his chief threat draws right alongside in the form of FAMILY CODE (4), who stands to benefit from a decent first out for the Diodoro barn.

Race 4
This full field offers value aplenty, perhaps in the form of ROCKED TWICE (3), a Diodoro longshot (20-1 M/L) who stretches out; will tie him up in exacta part-wheels with LUCKY VIEWS (2), ROYAL F J (7), and SIZZLIN’ JOE (8) while also using all four of them to end horizontals starting in R2 and R3.

:: DRF Bets Exotic Summer: Take out the takeout on Friday's pick five at Del Mar

Race 6
The extra distance of this race could be right up the alley of CAT BURGLAR (2), who faced far superior company in Ky. and Md. for Baffert this spring and will be prominent throughout these three turns; he’s an absolute on-top single every which way and my strongest play on the card.

Race 8
Will be looking for a too-hot pace involving Bella Breeze and the Baffert returnee Lady Regina so that things fall into place for the well-drawn duo of MATTER OF LUCK (11) and STUNNING TASTE (12) to come running late; will tie those two up in exactas and tris.