DEL MAR -- Race 5 (One Mile, Turf)
#11 AVALANCHE (8-1) ran a better-than-looked race when wide on both turns after a slow break at Santa Anita on June 9. He's going to need a little racing luck from his outside post, but he comes out of a decent race which has seen three horses come back to hit the board in their next start, including runner-up Majestic Eagle. If jockey Tyler Conner is able to navigate a clean trip and be able to save some ground, it could work out into a winning ride in the opening leg of the Pick Six.
#4 FORCE (3-1) is the one to beat, owning the best turf speed figure in the field. He'll be the decisive favorite on the toteboard based on his return to the grass, a surface he has won over four times in his career. He gets the services of Kent Desormeaux, a notable rider change in this spot and will also be closing from well off the pace.
#10 THE BIG TRAIN (8-1) has hit the board in three of five starts over this turf course, but exits a pair of marathon spots at Santa Anita. Curious to see what kind of trip Drayden Van Dyke will attempt to navigate from outside post.
#3 ALLABOUTMIKE (7-2) will be pushed along to make the lead under Rafael Bejarano. He battled on the lead on the downhill course at Santa Anita before getting tagged on the shadow of the finish line against similar company. If he doesn't get a ton of pressure early, he should be able to save some ground and have a little late kick.
The Plays:
Win bet #11 AVALANCHE.
Exotics 4-11/4-11/1-3-6-10