The action Friday at Del Mar features the $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes Race 6, but my key plays on the card will be surrounding the Cal-bred main event for 2-year-old fillies. We’ll have sentimental rooting interest in Race 1 with Surfin’ U.S.A., the last horse co-owned by the late, great Jeff Siegel, my longtime friend and podcast co-host.

As noted going into closing week, Del Mar’s winning favorites have been well below the national average this season at 32% and the average winner has been a shade under 6-1 odds.

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 will be Sunday – featuring the Del Mar Futurity).

Del Mar: Race 4 | 6:34 pm ET
#2 Young Love (5-1 morning line odds) has spent much of her time in open-company races and is more than capable outside the Cal-bred ranks. She raced vs. tougher last out from a more challenging post and finished with interest, showing off a pace versatility that should come in handy here with fleet Little Opal and Long Mayshe Reign potentially battling early. Should hold a fair price for a barn going well at the end of the meet and always capable in turf sprints. Picks 2-7-6.

Del Mar: Race 7 | 8:10 pm ET
#4 Bliksem (5-1 morning line odds) looks to continue a fantastic turf meet for trainer Jeff Mullins after a promising debut second with trouble at the start and a spread-out, turf-sprint finish indicating strong top performers. Mullins is 6: 2-0-3 at the meet going sprint to turf route like this and has been profitable on grass with all starters. Picks 4 with 7-10-2

Del Mar: Race 8 | 8:42 pm ET
#2 Got’m Cot’m (6-1 morning line odds) has been a shining light this meet for a Val Brinkeroff barn that has struggled, which is always a major positive for that outlier who is successful. Joel Rosario jumps saddles to ride for John Sadler here, which is understandable to his overall business, but Tiago Pereira helps the price and has been solid in dirt sprints all meet with top-3 finishes about 50% at average odds of 13-1. Picks 2-6-10