FIFTH RACE

workout here last week at five furlongs, and will set or press he pace. OLIVER, who romped by more than five lengths on this track two weeks ago, is stuck on the rail and will be under pressure throughout. Tall order, but he is sharp. Second-time starter ROYAL DESCENDENT went into her debut two months ago with only ordinary workouts, yet she ran well to finish second while more than three lengths clear of third. She adds blinkers and should move forward with a race under her belt. ‘DESCENDENT was sired by Awesome Again, her dam is multiple graded stakes-winning sprinter Sweet August Moon. TANDALICIOUS, whose dam is the multiple graded stakes-winning sprinter Tanda, finished a respectable third both starts this spring. Freshened two months, working well, she won’t be a maiden for long. VARANASI was a highly regarded 2yo last year before she was sidelined; her comeback was a disappointing third. One more chance for the Jimmy Creed filly? Her dam is the multiple graded stakes-winning route filly Yearly Report. WHAT’S BRUIN figures off her runner-up effort two back on dirt; KINDRED showed speed and tired in her comeback; she also can improve. Lots of contenders in this race.

SIXTH RACE

After two longshot winners opening week, turf sprints this meet (through Wednesday) have been relatively formful and fair to all running styles. That bodes well for closer OISEAU DE GUERRE, whose recent Santa Anita turf sprint form makes him the choice (win, two seconds, one third last five turf sprints). It is uncertain if he can deliver a winning rally at this abbreviated five-furlong distance, but he will fly late. CATFISH HUNTER will roll early. A front-runner-pace-presser with okay races on turf, he improved this year at age 4 and his versatile style means he can set or press the pace. Unlike the top choice, he is less likely to get bogged in traffic. WHAT’ S ON THE AGENDA is pure speed, first start in three months. Blinkers on, fast works, possibly the one to catch. Or maybe, ‘AGENDA will set it up for the rally of the top choice. FIGHT ON returns from a short freshening with fast recent works; LITTLE JUANITO is a first-time gelding and the only entrant with a win over this course (MSW in November).

SEVENTH RACE

SIGALERT, a $425k purchase in March, debuts with a solid work pattern. Sired by Street Sense, the colt’s only sibling won her career debut at age 2. Furthermore, trainer John Sadler has won at least one race with a debut 2yo each of the past five Del Mar summer meets (5 for 22 in summer). SIGALERT is ready to fire. DARK PRINCE pressed and faded in his debut, a race that in hindsight appears to be merely a prep. His workouts going in were just so-so, he was no match for the talented Instagrand. But since that race in late June, ‘PRINCE appears to have trained better. Blinkers on, he has speed, and he might be the one to catch. NEPTUNE’S STORM capped off his workout pattern with a strong five-furlong gate work last week in a sharp 59.80 seconds. DINESEN also debuts with a sharp workout pattern.

EIGHTH RACE

The in-form STORM THE HILL and horse-forcourse CAMBODIA are the principals in this G2 turf route for fillies and mare. The close call goes to STORM THE HILL, whose first start since joining the Phil D’Amato stable was a sharp come-frombehind G3 victory at one mile. ‘HILL stretches out to a mile and a sixteenth; she is one of the best finishers in the field based on her recent upset. CAMBODIA is a Del Mar specialist, two graded wins here last summer followed by a respectable third in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. She has been thwarted this year, but she faced the best of the female turf division four straight, all Grade 1s. This is a significant class drop, she actually ran well last out with a wide trip into the lane. A big workout here last week suggests the 6yo mare still likes Del Mar. FAHAN MURA is not a confirmed starter. If she does go, she could take the field gate to wire. That is how she won five of her last six starts including a restricted stakes here opening week. HALLIE BELLE is a shipper from the Midwest. Shippers into California turf stakes are always worth a second look; the grass division out West is modest.

NINTH RACE

FLAGSTAFF has current form, highly regarded comebacker TATTERS TO RICHES has a lofty reputation and solid works. The call goes to the “now” horse in this N1X sprint. FLAGSTAFF dueled and held sway to win a highly rated maiden race last out. He drew outside his chief rival, and though he won on the lead last out he could be equally effective from slightly off the pace. He can win right back, unless TATTERS TO RICHES overcomes the rail draw. ‘RICHES was a million-dollar 2yo last year, but he was injured and sidelined after winning his debut and misfiring in the G1 Del Mar Futurity. His comeback works are strong, he remains well regarded by his connections. He could be a top older horse. SOLID WAGER, entered 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Del Mar, CA 92014 (858) 755-1141 Main track: One Mile, oval. Turf course: Seven eighths mile. Distance from last turn to finish line: 919 feet.

TAKEOUT INFORMATION ■ WPS - 15.43% ■ Double - 20% ■ Exacta, Quinella - 22.68% ■ Trifecta, Superfecta, Super Hi 5, Pick 3, Pick 4, Late Pick 5, Pick 6 - 23.68% ■ Early Pick 5 - 14%

NOTE: A horse which wins a non-winners of $3,000 other than maiden or claiming, or two races, for Calbreds, shall remain eligible for that comparable open allowance race, provided that horse did not win a race other than claiming following that Cal-Bred win. Once a horse has won the two first condition allowance races (Cal-Bred and open), then the Cal Bred win will be disregarded in future allowance races for eligibility purposes only. for the optional $40k claim tag because he has won so many races (nine), will roll late.

TENTH RACE

Tenth time the charm for ZIPMAN? In the money four straight, he drops from MSW to maiden-62.5 as the pick to wear them down late. Maybe. SPIRIT MISSION makes his California debut and first start on turf after running well two starts back in a MSW dirt route at Monmouth. He is bred to and bottom for turf. CAPALL stretches out for the first time with enough speed to make the lead. If he can stay a mile, he could upset. STARTING BLOC has run races that put him in the hunt.