INSIDE THE NUMBERS: How to Best Bet the Pick 3 for Stakes Races at Del Mar on Saturday with Ed DeRosa The Daisy Cutter Handicap is not only the best-named stakes on Saturday at Del Mar but also the best wagering opportunity among an all-stakes pick 3 that begins with the San Diego Handicap and concludes with the Bing Crosby Stakes. As far a turf courses go, the Del Mar grass plays fairly in sprints. Sure, there is a slight advantage to speed, but that’s the case for any most sprint races regardless of surface. Taking a closer in a sprint can sometimes be a fool’s errand, but you’ve got a good shot sprinting on the sod at Del Mar. No. 8 Chismosa is unlikely to inspire a lot of confidence returning to turf given her 0-for-8 record on the grass, but none of those efforts have come at Del Mar, and she figures to benefit from the sharper trip here versus 6 ½ furlongs down the hill at Santa Anita. Throw in speed both down inside and on the far outside, and she should have a target to run at late. No. 6 Uncorked is 3-to-1 on the morning line, and figures to be every bit of that with Flavian Prat on board for trainer Phil D’Amato. However, I do not like the cut back in distance for her and see her as overbet. Ditto for No. 10 Pushiness, the 5-to-2 morning line favorite, who has a lot of speed but will need every bit of her stamina too with No. 2 Imaboutago likely pressing things early. All that is to say if Chismosa is not for you back on turf, and you’re on board with my thought of tossing nos. 2, 6, and 10 then take a long look at No. 3 Lovin’ On the Run, who broke her maiden at this course and distance. She needs to improve here, but at 20-to-1 morning line is worth a gamble. The bookends of this all-stakes pick 3 are a little more straight forward. In the San Diego to kick things off No. 5 Nysos looks extremely formidable. If the track is playing particularly forward then No. 5 Hall of Fame is worth an upgrade. The Bing Crosby closes it out, and I really like recent claim No. 7 Mbagnick and the horse he beat last out No. 3 Hejazi. Ed DeRosa Share This:Share
