Upsets Lead to Carry-over

Del Mar’s fifth week begins like the previous two. A Pick Six carry-over awaits players after another crazy Monday. There were so many upsets on the final racing day of the fourth week. Not only were there no tickets with six winners on Monday, there were none with five. It’s very rare in California when the Pick Six pays on four. The $150,000 Best Pal Stakes makes today like a Pick Five because the Bob Baffert-trained and Thoroughbred Corporation-owned entry of Officer and Ecstatic will be a very short price to win the prep for next month’s Del Mar Futurity. A California-bred son of Bertrando, Officer has been sensational in two wins to begin his career. He has accomplished both victories, including one in the Graduation Stakes at Del Mar, without having to be asked for his best. Ecstatic was an impressive winner in his debut on July 18, the first day of the meet here. The field is completed by Metatron, who was a troubled second to Came Home in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship, Essence Of Dubai and Werblin, both of whom are fresh off maiden victories.

Race of the day: The sixth is an interesting starter allowance sprint. Sure Man will be making his second start after a layoff for Baffert and he exits a race that was won by his uncoupled stablemate, Hurricane Grant. The gray broke his maiden over this track last year. Another solid contender who could be a decent price is Simony, who will be making his first start since a claim earlier this year by Scott Hansen. The speedy sort has been gelded and could take these all the way.

Who’s hot: Glorious Linda. A 7-year-old French-bred mare, she has won four of six this year and finished in the money the last three times she has run in $80,000 claimers. She picked up her 12th win in 43 starts in Monday’s sixth race.

Who’s not: Thrillion. A once well-regarded son of Dynaformer, he stopped to a walk after setting the early pace in Monday’s eighth race, a $25,000 maiden claimer. He has failed to hit the board in seven starts.

Exotically speaking: An exacta box in the sixth using Sure Man, Simony and Jersey Rebel.