Betting with the favorites in the Nov. 6 undercard stakes at Del Mar

The $6 million Classic (G1) headlines a tremendous Saturday of racing at Del Mar with nine Breeders’ Cup contests on the slate in total. Before the championship racing begins, two graded tilts will take place at the picturesque track, and I will structure plays around the morning-line choice in each.

Race 2 - Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance S. (G2)

The 1 5/8-mile marathon on the dirt is led by Robertino Diodoro's formidable #2 Lone Rock (6-5), who is the top long-distance dirt performer in the U. S. at the moment. By Majestic Warrior, the six-year-old gelding has been first or second in six straight with four blowout wins among them. Ramon Vazquez will pilot the one to beat.

I will use the top choice with the inconsistent, but very capable, #3 Cupid’s Claws (6-1). The Kitten’s Joy chestnut finished well back while favored in the race at Keeneland last season, but he makes his second start for Peter Miller and has a lot of appeal as a contender to me. The Grade 3 winner had a good prep when a rallying sixth on the green in the John Henry (G2) last time out and has trained forwardly in the interim. Luis Saez picks up the mount.

Wagers

• $40 exacta 2 with 3 ($40)
• $10 trifecta 2 with 4, 6 with 3 ($20)

Race 3 - Goldikova S. (G2)

A total of nine fillies and mares will travel one-mile on the sod in a solid affair. The once-beaten #2 Princess Grace (8-5) is the one to knock off, and deservedly so, for conditioner Mike Stidham. The dual Grade 2 queen is three-for-three in 2021, which includes a comfortable tally in the Yellow Ribbon S. (G2) on the surface two prior. The Karakontie four-year-old seems poised for another top performance with Kent Desormeaux in the stirrups.

Del Mar Oaks (G1) queen #7 Going Global (9-5) is a must use for the exotics for obvious reasons. The classy Mehmas sophomore is five-for-six since arriving in the U. S., and her strong turn of foot will see her passing horses late as a major win threat. Flavien Prat has the assignment.

Longshot #5 Ippodamia’s Girl (20-1) is the potential lone speed in the paceless affair with Luis Saez riding. The Richard Baltas trainee would be a surprise to upset this field in her current form cycle, but she might get brave up top if left alone to the top of the stretch. The Stormy Atlantic six-year-old earned a stakes victory on the course in July.

Wagers

• $30 trifecta 2 with 7 with 5 ($30)
• $5 trifecta 2 with 5 with 7 ($5)