Big day Saturday produced 4 winners from 9 plays for $35.60 and pushed us further into the black at the meeting through 17 days. I can’t wait to see the matchup in Sunday’s Race 5 featured Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo. Thermal caught my eye in video workout study a few weeks ago and she could give 2-time defending champ Sweet Azteca every ounce of what she can handle. In fact, Thermal gets my nod in multi-race singles with a bold step (see ticket with Race 1 analysis).

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 was Saturday).

Del Mar: Race 1 | 5:00 pm ET
#1 Royal Rumor (3-1 morning line odds) takes advantage of the turf course inner chute with a pseudo 3-turn race after being involved early last time. Carla Gaines trainees are totally locked in the last 3 weeks at Del Mar (9: 4-0-2) and another one delivered for us Friday. Heavy ML favorite Bull Shoals hasn’t had the knockout punch with 3 seconds from 4 starts back east – but hopefully can hold the price up for our runner just a touch. Win bet #1. Focused Early Pick 5 ticket today 1 with 4,5,7,8 with 1,7 with 5,8,3,1 with 1. Picks 1-4-5

Del Mar: Race 6 | 7:43 pm ET
#4 War Artist (20-1 morning line odds) takes a huge class drop and gets back to a preferred dirt surface. His only bid on dirt was finishing on the heels of King of Success at Los Al and that return rival has already finished second at this class level at the current Del Mar meet. He fits on matchup and speed figures if that’s your thing. First time routing on dirt and the Munnings offspring won 21% on Del Mar main track in recent years. Win-place bet #4. Exacta key-box 4 with 2,7,3. Daily Double working back from Race 5 super-worker Thermal, 1-4. Daily Double 4-1 to next play. Picks 4-2-7

Del Mar: Race 7 | 8:18 pm ET
#1 Goodies (3-1 morning line odds) is among a long line of Collected offspring to blossom on this turf course, breaking her maiden July 17 and capable of winning right back. Phil D’Amato and Hector Berrior win 36% in tandem, she’ll be forward throughout from the rail and this modest field size of 7 lacks any real early pace punch. Love the rider change after a mistimed move last out from #5 Yoga Master and this one completes the exacta at 8-1 morning line. Win bet #1. Exacta 1-5. Picks 1-5-7.