Del Mar Late Pick 5 play for San Diego Handicap Day

Saturday's Late Pick 5 at Del Mar includes a pair of competitive Grade 2 stakes and several overnight events with no apparent standouts. It's a tough sequence, but one I'll take a shot at with the following ticket.

Race 6 -- Allowance

Just two deep here in this congested field of 12. #4 LIBBY'S TAIL narrowly missed at this level second time out for Baltas and the Grade 1-placed runner needs only minor improvement to pass the condition. #5 VEXATIOUS was beaten less than three lengths in her only previous try on the turf, which was last year's Del Mar Oaks (G1). Should improve from her comeback attempt last month at Los Alamitos.

Race 7 -- San Diego H. (G2)

John Sadler runs the brilliant but untested #1 CATALINA CRUISER in place of some relative heavyweights, but could be any kind and certainly has the pedigree to excel around two turns. Toss #2 DR. DORR's effort in the Suburban (G2) at Belmont and recent form from the Californian (G2) and Gold Cup (G1) is top notch. Not a fan of Del Mar in two prior starts over the track though. Baffert's other starter, #9 DABSTER, was good enough to beat the talented City of Light last fall, is two-for-two around two turns and should move forward second off the bench following a dull try in the San Carlos (G2).

Race 8 -- San Clemente (G2)

#14 OLLIE'S CANDY is three-for-three, but hasn't tried turf. Sire and dam were both graded stakes winners on the surface though. #13 MS PEINTOUR has a couple nice wins on the grass and could make a big run late if she brings her "A" game. #9 WEST PALM BEACH won her U.S. debut, but didn't have the same kick when heavily favored in the Senorita (G3). Prat back in the saddle this time. #5 AHIMSA is a bit of a longshot here, but comes in off a strong breeze and a mile should be within the scope of a daughter of Animal Kingdom.

Race 9 -- Maiden

One should be one of the favorites and the other not so much, but will lean on a pair of Jerry Hollendorfer-trained firsters. #10 ROWAYTON has the buzz going in, but #4 DUELING is a son of Violence with some reasonably strong works himself.

Race 10 -- Maiden

#4 TEN COUNT OUT looks the speed of the speed and figures to take catching in her second start back from a long layoff. If she doesn't last, #6 RESOLU and #8 CAMINO SONG perhaps will be the most effective closers.

Here's the 50-cent ticket

4,5 with 1,2,9 with 5,9,13,14 with 4,10 with 4,6,8 = $72

Good luck!