Sunday at Del Mar, in the Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1), it is hard to pick against Zenyatta (#10, 3/5 ML), a hard knocking mare who somehow knows where the finish line is, and never does more than she needs to win. She has reeled 11 straight victories.

A lot of the competition is stepping up in here. Some unknown values like Anabaa’s Creation (#8, 20/1 ML), just here from Europe the last 2 races, won her first time on the Pro-Ride at Santa Anita, but disappointed badly in her last on the turf, and was given 70 days which throws a red flag on her condition.

Another one is Lethal Heat (#9, 20/1 ML). Came back from January and needed a race so Barry Abrams puts her in an optional claiming race (OC100k), where she went off the favorite. The feeling here is that she was not pressed and they wanted that 6 furlong race to serve as a workout. She is working swiftly for this and can be dangerous.

But the only one that could upset Zenyatta is Life Is Sweet (#7, 3/1 ML). She has 2 beautiful workouts for this race, and when a dead closer works this fast, better watch out!  Plus, she can make it sweeter at odds of 7/2 or better, as Zenyatta will be bet off the charts.

A good play here is to bet #7 Life Is Sweet to Win and box #10 Zenyatta / #7 Life Is Sweet for an Exacta.  Also, don’t forget to use #9 Lethal Heat and #8 Anabaa’s Creation for gimmicks.

Good luck, and may the horse be with you.