We went price-shopping opening week at Del Mar and had success with a $2.73 ROI for every $2 bet on the 18 top choices presented over 3 days. Overall, 8 of 18 were in the exacta including 6 of them at 5-1 or more. Let’s get to work on Thursday’s kickoff to Week 2, which features a Pick 6 carryover of $63,928 (Races 3-8). First post is 5 pm ET / 2 pm PT.

Each day this summer at Del Mar, I’ll be handicapping the action with my top plays on the card – including full-card selections for a featured program each week (this week’s full-card comes Saturday).

Del Mar: Race 2 | 5:30 pm ET

#2 Parker’s Candy (5-1 morning line odds) reappears after a long layoff. Trainer Jeff Mullins had a freakish turf winner for us in the Oceanside on opening day and note that since 2018 he’s a 20% winner in turf sprint maiden races at Del Mar from nearly 50 starters with a 22% flat-bet profit on those. Bullet work for first start since debut third here last summer. Exacta key-box #2 with #5,8,6. Picks 2-5-8-6.

Del Mar: Race 5 | 7:00 pm ET

#2 Vegas Del Oro (8-1 morning line odds) is a debut daughter of sneaky-strong Del Mar dirt sire Gato Del Oro (27% winners, $1.48 ROI for every $1 bet, coming into the meeting). This one is a full-sister to Chasing Kat, whose horse-for-course Del Mar dirt record is 3: 2-1-0 (8: 0-3-0 everywhere else) and Del Mar-loving My Kat (3-for-3 on local dirt in non-stakes tries). Benefits with local work over the track, something only half of these maidens possess. Has shown excellent gate speed in video workouts at 1st.tv; see if she can finish. Win bet #2. Picks 2-5-10.

Del Mar: Race 7 | 8:00 pm ET

#1 Check’s On the Way (6-1 morning line odds) should be rail speed on the stretch-out in trip. Umberto Rispoli was riding strong opening week at Del Mar and note that trainer Simon Callaghan is one of the traditionally fastest starters to Del Mar meets over the last several years. Horse ran a solid 2-turn mile on turf last year and might just wind up here and forget to stop. Win bet #1. Picks: 1-2-6