SIXTH RACE

posted two apparently sharp workouts over the Del Mar surface in preparation for her comeback.

LUV IS ALL U NEED looms an upset candidate, first start of the year and just the second start of her career. She showed hints of ability finishing third her only start in December. MISCHIEVIOUS LASS will be rolling late. She finished in the money all four sprints. In a deep field of $16k claiming fillies and mares, dropper PLASTERED gets the call. She split the field four weeks ago on turf while running for a $32k tag; dirt seems her preferred footing. This race is not easy, but it is the easiest chance for PLASTERED in a long time. Her recent efforts against allowance and stakes rivals probably would be good enough. IPRAY ran well last time. The pace was slow, she rallied from seventh to finish second. It is possible that $16k claiming is out of reach for the $8k-10k-12.5k claiming-caliber veteran, but she is sharp and she will finish. The pace should be legit. She was crushed last out by IF YOU LIKE IT, who might be ranked too low by this handicapper. Although ‘LIKE IT benefitted from a soft pace scenario, she is versatile and could get a good trip positioned right behind the speed. Logical contender, no knocks. DEVIL’S BEAUTY goes sprint to route first off the claim, and may try to steal it.

SEVENTH RACE

Lots of questions in this allowance turf route, but none that concern the finishing kick of CAMINO DEL PARAISO. His fourth-place effort last month in a Cal-bred stakes race was very good, and sets him up to win this mile and a sixteenth race. He had to wait behind runners on the far turn, lost ground wide into the lane, then finished well for fourth. The 1-2-3 finishers “rallied” from the 2-4-3 positions, ‘DEL PARAISO was the only closer to make up significant ground. He wheels back in less than three weeks, meets a group that includes several that are suspect at the distance, and can mow them down late. LAW ABIDIN CITIZEN made the “horses to watch” list after his better-thanlooked fifth last out in a turf sprint. He steadied and lost his action and position passing quarter pole, re-rallied inside and finished with run. Not sure about two turns for this gelding, third his only previous route, but his last start was better than it looks. He is a must-use. LIAM THE CHARMER might need a prep race, this is his first start in nearly a year. On the other hand, the first-time gelding faced much better before he was sidelined, and he has run well fresh returning from shorter layoffs. FULL OF LUCK drops from graded stakes; he was a top turf horse in Chile.

EIGHTH RACE

Although she finished sixth of nine last out, JERSEY BUNS actually ran well after breaking from the outside post racing one mile. She was fivewide the first turn, five-wide on the backstretch, five-wide on the far turn, still in contention turning for home, and finally faded. She drops from $12.5k claiming to $8k, moves to post 3, and figures for a more favorable trip. Also-eligible CHEROKEE IN ME is the “best horse,” dropping from $16k-20k claiming in Northern California to start at the bottom level (unrestricted) at Del Mar. She would have been the obvious selection, but could get hung wide if she draws into the field. BALLERINA HEADLINE finished last her most recent start; her effort was not good. However, she is trying something new (route) and ran races in spring that are fast enough. Blinkers off, short to long, expect an improved effort. DIZZY DIVA broke slowly and finished last vs. much tougher three weeks ago. These are easier.