How to bet the Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar

How should you build tickets for the Native Diver Stakes?

Grade 1 winner Roadster leads a compact field of six postward in Saturday’s $100,000 Native Diver S. (G3) at Del Mar. The Quality Road colt faces a talented group with a few coming off of lifetime-best performances, but the 1 1/8-mile race still goes through the exciting Baffert trainee.

Native Diver Stakes Analysis

#1 Leading Score will be sent early on, as will the speedy #3 Zestful (since scratched). #4 Roadster, #5 Extra Hope and #6 Two Thirty Five figure to be in the next flight, with the red-hot #2 Midcourt trailing.

Native Diver Wagers

• $20 Trifecta Key of 4 with 2,6 = $40

The Native Diver Stakes contender entries and morning line odds:

#1 LEADING SCORE (7-2) -- Midnight Lute five-year-old has put in a trio of fine performances since returning from an 18-month absence. Baffert trainee was third in the Comma To The Top S. in advance of this outing, and he will be in first or second from the opening stages today. Joe Talamo rides.

#2 MIDCOURT (7-2) -- Comma To The Top S. upsetter rides in on a three-race win streak for Shirreffs. Four-year-old gelding was an allowance winner on the course two back, and he could get a swift pace to rally into on Saturday. Improving Kentucky-bred could be the one if the top pick falters in the lane. Victor Espinoza has the assignment.

#3 ZESTFUL (SCRATCHED) -- Ghostzapper gelding had his six-race win streak snapped last time out when a brave second in the Marathon S. (G2) at Santa Anita on Breeders’ Cup Friday. Glatt pupil has never been better and will be part of the action from the start on Saturday. Evin Roman will pilot the speedster.

#4 ROADSTER (5-2) -- One to beat from the Baffert barn was a game runner-up in the Damascus S. in preparation of this assignment. Santa Anita Derby (G1) star makes just his second run since June and also his second start with blinkers on. Quality Road colt looms large with his best beneath Drayden Van Dyke.

#5 EXTRA HOPE (6-1) -- Shanghai Bobby colt was a smart third in the Damascus S. most recently. The capable, but inconsistent, three-year-old has hit the board in two of three local performances and he earned a lifetime best 100 BRIS Speed figure last time out. Prat will ride for Richard Mandella.

#6 TWO THIRTY FIVE (3-1) -- Gelded son of Stay Thirsty brings good form to the cast for Richard Baltas, including a stakes win at Del Mar two prior. Five-year-old draws outside and could sit a nice trip just off the pace with Cedillo in the silks. Kentucky-bred intrigues in his local return.