Notes from Friday at Del Mar …

The race-2 win by Cleanup Hitter ($4.60) made it 8-for-29 in Del Mar maiden-claiming races the past five years for the trainer-jockey combo of Bob Hess Jr. and Kent Desormeaux. They team Saturday with race-5 longshot Decarchy Dawn.

Now we know why Pacific Wind ran Friday in race 3, a first-level allowance, rather than the Grade 2 San Clemente on Sunday. Pacific Wind, odds-on following a tough-trip third in a G2, could not get past front-runner Meadowsweet ($19.20) in a disappointing effort. Or maybe the winner is just a good filly. Meadowsweet is a Smart Strike sibling to Grade 1 winners Courageous Cat and After Market. She tried to make a right-hand turn at the quarter pole, but kept running to win by a nose. She is lightly raced, well bred and has a bright future for owner-breeder Marty Wygod and trainer Cliff Sise.

Texas Wedge ($10) was worth the money in race 4. The 2yo son of Colonel John made his debut in a maiden-50, and won in a romp. Final time for the six and one-quarter length blowout was 1:03.92; his Beyer Figure was 86. That’s the top fig of the season by a Southern California-based 2yo. No claims, Peter Miller trains.

Another upset winner in a turf sprint, as Eight Spokes ($15.80) pops in race 5. It’s been more than three years since Del Mar installed its new turf course, and turf sprint favorites are now 8-for-52 (15 percent).

No visible excuse for American Pastime in race 6, just a dull fourth by the N2X favorite. The winner Blameitonthelaw ($10.60) earned a career-best 98 Beyer.

Mrs. McDougal, odds-on first start since September, finished third in the Osunitas. She was the class of the field, but odds-on was a curiously low price on a comebacker. A similar comment applies Sunday to Wickerr favorite Vyjack. The winner of the Osunitas was Madame Stripes ($10.20), who can be a difficult mare to ride due to her tendency to pull. Her jockey Kent Desormeaux is riding well.

Smokem ($25.80), a 2yo Cal-bred by Union Rags, smoked ’em in race 8. The first-time starter earned a 64 Beyer and gave under-rated trainer Gary Sherlock his first upset winner of the meet. Don’t close the book on Sherlock yet, he is usually good for a couple longshot winners every summer.

Pick six carryover into Saturday: $68,651.