Two singles for Del Mar’s $51,879 Pick 6 carryover

Bad weather has prompted the cancellation of two recent cards at Del Mar, but racing is slated to resume on Saturday with a $51,879 Pick 6 carryover up for grabs.

The $2 wager gets underway in Race 4 at 5:02 p.m. ET. After analyzing the entries, we’ve identified a pair of short-priced singles to build tickets around:

Race 8: Native Diver (G3): #3 Nevada Beach (3-5)

Nevada Beach is taking a huge drop in class for the 1 1/8-mile Native Diver. Last time out, he finished seventh against a stellar field in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Two starts back, he defeated 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Full Serrano with a strong rally in the Goodwood (G1).

Those efforts earned Brisnet Speed ratings of 102 and 104. The latter number is the highest belonging to any horse entered in the Native Diver. None of the other Native Diver entrants have won at the stakes level, and Nevada Beach has enough tactical speed to work out a favorable trip in this five-horse field, so he’s shaping up as a standout favorite.

Throw in the fact Nevada Beach is racing for the blazing hot jockey/trainer duo of Juan Hernandez and Bob Baffert (43% winners teaming up together over the last two months), and we feel confident recommending him as a Pick 6 single.

Race 9: Maiden Special Weight: #3 Blacksmith (2-1)

Baffert has entered a trio of horses in this 6 1/2-furlong sprint for juveniles. Two are first-time starters who boast promising work tabs, but the experienced Blacksmith looks like the one to beat with Hernandez in the saddle.

Blacksmith debuted over this distance and class level on Oct. 25 at Santa Anita. After getting outsprinted early by gate-to-wire winner Acknowledgemeplz, he rallied to finish second by three-quarters of a length. The final time was a quick 1:15.72, and Blacksmith earned a promising 88 Brisnet Speed rating while pulling six lengths clear of the third-place finisher.

Blacksmith was a bit unlucky to lose his debut. He’s trained sharply since then (most notably working a bullet five furlongs in :58 2/5) and has a strong chance to graduate in his second start. Since it’s unlikely he’ll encounter a rival as fast as Acknowledgemeplz (who looks like one of the more promising juveniles in California), we’re willing to take a stand and single Blacksmith in the Pick 6.

Good luck!