Del Mar Saturday: Mike Dennis picks the Pick 6 with 5 stakes races, including the Del Mar Oaks

One Play Mike

Del Mar Pick 6 Edition

Friday Recap:

Del Mar Race 6 - 3-Stellar Sound

After the Rancho Bernardo Handicap, text messages rolled in from my buddy Ted Cifaldi. He provided some constructive criticism of my article and selection of Stellar Sound with an emphasis on the word idiot. His main point is a great one I ignored because of putting Stellar Sound on a pedestal. Always consider your race selection and really think about what value you are getting. The Del Mar card may have resulted in a chalky one yesterday but there were plenty of spots to get greater than 2-1 and not have had to run against Edgeway.

Horses to Consider for the Saturday Pick 6

Del Mar Race 6

The Torrey Pines G3 - 3 YO F&M - One Mile

The singles will be heavy on the Baffert trained Private Mission. Last out went .22 and .44 for the 1/2 finishing 6 furlongs up in 1:09.2

Now stretching to a mile with other speed in the race to compete with, my gut is to play against. Horses have won setting right off pace going one mile and to me that would be a logical angle to take. My pick therefore is 1-Lady Mystify. She has gone the distance, gets inside draw with a ton of speed and in my opinion will grab it easily without getting pressed from Private Mission. So yes, going against stated logic.

Del Mar Race 7

The Del Mar Mile G2 - 3 YO^ - Turf - One Mile

Neptune Storm and Smooth Like Strait look to set up the four other entered horses whom all have Time Form Late pace numbers in the 100s. If you look at split times set up by the potential front runners, it seems fair to say closers will close, now which to choose. My instinct is a price coming in at some point in the sequence, with race set up and a 12-1 morning line my pick is Count Again. Other entrants are more prestige but closers are closers and 12-1 is, well 12-1.

Del Mar Race 8

OC 40k / N1X - 3 YO ^ - 7 Furlongs

Why not throw an OC 40 in the mix? It is what it is even if a buzz kill sort of from being spoiled with graded stakes.

My pick is Positivity, who had a positive workout note recently, has won at distance and just fits in a field where no others were enticing. I am taking what is given this race at a 4-1 morning line.

Del Mar Race 9

The Del Mar Oaks G1 - 3 YO Fillies - Turf - 1 and 1/8 Miles

Fluffy Socks invades town with Joel Rosario and Chad Brown connected. Why ship all the way to the West Coast? Saratoga must be tougher and Breeders Cup is at Del Mar, which will be here before you know it. Fluffy is as capable as any in here with a TFL# = 107, the extra 1/8th helps.

Del Mar Race 10

The Pacific Classic G1 - 3 YO - 1 and 1/4 Miles

Nothing too exciting here going with Express Train at 3-1. It is not often when you see Time Form Early and Late Pace numbers both in the 100's. No need to overanalyze and I like seeing Beyer patterns that correlate with level of the race showing improvement.

Del Mar Race 11

The Del Mar Handicap G2 - 3 YO^ - Turf - 1 and 3/8 Miles

To cap off the Pacific Classic card will be Save the Word closing 10 wide, but getting up in time. A recent + work, huge closing ability and using United with Master Piece (CHI) make me feel even better about Save the Word winning.

Thank you for reading and best of luck playing today.