Del Mar Pick 3 requires going deep in juvenile maiden

Saturday's seventh race at Del Mar is a seemingly deep and contentious two-year-old maiden over six furlongs. While there are a couple second-time starters that might improve off their respective debuts, I'll be leaning on five first-time starters in the second leg of the Pick 3 I'll be playing.

Race 7: King Cause (#2, 9-2) is a full brother to a horse that won convincingly on debut at Delaware Park and goes for the capable Doug O'Neill barn. Bolt d'Oro (#4, 7-2) figures to get plenty of action off a strong five-furlong move July 22 and the fact he's a sibling to multiple stakes winner Sonic Mule. Xten (#6, 8-1) and Impeachableoffense (#8, 8-1) are also working well, with the latter by Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb, whose juveniles have been off the mark well this spring and summer. So Long Sailor (#9, 5-1) is another I'll include due to the sharp trainer/jockey combo of Miller/Roman.

Race 6, the Sorrento (G2): Landaluce winner Surrender Now (#1, 9-5) and the Bob Baffert-trained Diamondsandpearls (#6, 8-5) are hard to toss, but I'm also including Spectator (#2, 5-2), who could get a favorable trip if the top pair duel each other into defeat.

Race 8, the Yellow Ribbon (G2): Avenge (#8, 8-5) is the class of the field and should improve off a comeback third to Lady Eli in the Gamely (G1), but Hillhouse High (#5, 4-1) demands respect off a win two back in the Royal Heroine (G2). I doubt wet ground at Churchill Downs on Derby Day was to her liking, and she could easily bounce back to her best form here.

Here's the $1 ticket: 1,2,6 with 2,4,6,8,9 with 5,8 = $30.

Good luck!