McGee: How I'd play Del Mar on Saturday, Aug. 8
Races 2-3
I’ll start the day by relying on a cold daily double that combines TRAVEL FREE (10) in the second with TOEWS ON ICE (3) in the third. Travel Free should be a square price when favorably drawn in the far outside hole, from where Martin Pedroza could get a stalk-and-see trip from just off some speedy fillies to her inside. Toews On Ice was absolutely pounded at the windows in his debut for Bob Baffert and now stands to benefit from a first start in which he took all the worst of it on a speed duel.
Race 5
I’ll be looking for the Uncle Mo colt NYQUIST (5) to validate his debut upset over the highly regarded ANNIE’S CANDY (6) in their lone meeting June 5. I will key Nyquist atop exactas and trifectas over SWIPE (4) and Annie’s Candy.
Races 7-9
I’ll scattershot a caveman pick three that can hit only if FANTICOLA (3) hangs tough to win the Grade 2 Mabee (race 8) or BLINGISMYTHING (9) rolls up to beat her. Here’s the full ticket ($40 on a $1 increment):
Race 7 – 1, 2, 5, 7, 9
Race 8 – 3, 9
Race 9 – 4, 5, 7, 8
Race 10
Turning back in distance and likely to be reserved off the pace this time by Pedroza, I’ll be looking for CRYSTAL HARBOR (1) to fare much better than she did in her Del Mar debut when using her as a last-race key.