My play of the day Sunday at Del Mar comes in the ninth race, though perhaps the best money-making opportunity involving that race begins an hour or so earlier.

Expecting the horse I like in the ninth, Policy (5), to drop from his 7-2 morning line, my feeling is to get involved in the race in multi-race gimmicks that lead up to the ninth. In that way, I hope he will not be bet to the same extent as he eventually could be in the win pool – as bettors will often “follow the money” when comes to backing first-timers.

Race 3:
Alternative Energy (#8)

Took plenty of money in her debut, as she worked well prior to that start.

Encountered some traffic trouble on the turn last time before making a quick move into contention – a better effort than it appears.

May be facing a weaker field than the one she met last time.

3-1 on ML

Slop, soft turf, scratches galore – not a great day for making precard plays at Saratoga. I’ll limit my planned action to just the Alabama, race 9, though even there I’m pulling back because of the conditions.

I have two major opinions on the race: She’s a Julie (#4) will be an overlay and Midnight Bisou (#3) an underlay. A slightly less major opinion is that Talk Veuve To Me (#8) is going to be a major player. And a weather-related opinion is that the slop could move up Eskimo Kisses (#2).

Looking to leverage firm opinions in three of the first five races Sunday, I’ll hook up three singles while hoping for prices in the other two legs of the early pick five at Saratoga.

Race 1: Their last meeting in a July 27 off-the-turf route resulted in a one-sided triumph from Saida (8) as Miss Aja Brown (5) labored home a pole behind, and now it looks as if they’re the primary speed in their rematch. Even if Aja guns early, Lezcano should be able to rate Saida off her, and the end game might well turn out the same.

Pacific Classic Day at Del Mar includes big fields, competitive races, and a “play of the day” pick three in the middle of the card. The wager (races 4-6) will include four runners in the opening leg, one in the middle, and five in the finale. Bet size: $1. Ticket cost: $20.

Race 4

A deep field of second-level allowance runners goes a mile on turf, including dropper Perfectly Majestic, the 20-1 outsider Accountability, top choice Arms Runner, and 20-1 front-runner Tule Fog. We’ll use all four.

The card at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Pacific Classic Saturday is littered with solid wagering opportunities, whether it be a pick-six sequence that features three graded stakes races, the always-enticing early pick five, or the sequence that I’m most interested in: the late pick four. Here’s a look at Saturday’s late pick four, featuring the Del Mar Oaks and the main event, the Pacific Classic.

RACE 8 – GRADE 1 DEL MAR OAKS

Race 3:
Daddy D T (#6)

Will appreciate the subtle class relief, as he won at this level three races back.

Possesses the tactical speed to sit close early and the Pace Projector is predicting a situation favoring horses on or near the lead.

Lost all chance when he blew the break last time against tougher competition.

9-2 on ML

Both our Pix in last week’s 2-year-old race got walloped around at some point during the race but Speed App managed to close well to get a piece of the trifecta with his stablemate just ahead of him. Our 3-year-old Pick was scratched and there were only four BreezeFigs maiden winners from that class during the week, two at Monmouth and one each at Finger Lakes and Fort Erie.

Race 2:
Land Mine (#5)
Ran well in her return from the layoff last time despite being disadvantage by a speed-favoring track that helped the winner.
Projects to sit a great trip stalking the two speeds, who figure to hook up at some point.
Is one of the few fillies in this field who wants every bit of the 1 1/8-mile distance.
3-1 on ML

Del Mar has the stakes spotlight Saturday as that track’s signature summer event – the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic – tops a card that also includes the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Oaks, and the Grade 2, $250,000 Del Mar Handicap.

There is, of course, also important racing at Saratoga, where the feature is the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama, supported by the Grade 2, $300,000 Lake Placid Stakes.