Their First Trip to Beach

Three of the six horses competing in today’s seventh race at Del Mar will be making their first appearance at the track.

Verkade, a shipper from Florida making his debut for trainer Jeff Mullins, Ministers Wild Cat and Touch The Wire are all Del Mar rookies in the $70,000 optional claimer at one mile.

The other three scheduled participants -- Slew Of The Night, Nose The Trade and Truly A Judge -- have combined to run eight times by the beach; each has managed a win.

Owned by a partnership, Verkade will be making his first start in California after winning three of 13 in Florida. Mullins has had good success with Florida shippers, including a win in Saturday’s San Clemente with Sweet Win.

Race of the day: South Wing, unbeaten in two starts on dirt, returns to her preferred surface against seven other New York-bred fillies in the $250,000 New York Stallion Stakes at Saratoga. Jorge Chavez will ride South Wing, a 3-year-old daughter of Dixie Brass, in the 1 1/8 -mile race.

One for the road: He’s Crafty disappointed in the Jaipur, a Grade III, on May 30 at Belmont Park, but could get back on track for trainer Bill Mott with a return to Saratoga. The 5-year-old Crafty Prospector horse is three for three over the Saratoga lawn, so tab in today’s seventh, a $52,000 allowance race at one mile. Jerry Bailey will ride.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using the Watch Me Smoke entry in the first, Free China and Drought Breaker in the second and French Rebel, Chat Man, B.Z. Jones and Looks Lika Fish in the third.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/29. Money: Previous day/meet total: $15.20/$163.40. Total money bet: $222.