HORSE RACING

TODAY AT DEL MAR

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $50,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds

Big Tiz - Flattered when both Pedaltothemedal and Cayanna won next out; value with improvement expected in second start.

Avid - Heavy favorite is from a barn that doesn't win a whole lot first time out; sure to be well overbet.

Long Shot - Righteous Renee

Race 2 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up

Bandeira Union - Claimed by the white-hot barn of Doug O'Neill; has back class, well spotted to win first out.

Sky Searcher - Guess what, O'Neill has an uncoupled entry; these guys could run 1-2 so caveat emptor.

Long Shot - Deputy Flyer

Race 3 - 6 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

Breakmark - Green debut last Oak Tree, slow early, very fast late; returns in a soft spot and gets P Val.

Fortunate Appeal - Was well bet in debut and ran like it; Mike Machowsky adds blinkers on for more heat.

Long Shot - It's Not Unusual

Race 4 - 6 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Misinjennuous - John Sadler has an uncoupled entry and I expect one to win; facing winners for the first time.

Fair Chase - Huge class dropper from Sadler; Joel Rosario had his choice and opted for my first choice.

Long Shot - Costa Marta

Race 5 - 1 mile, Purse $62,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

Diferentkindagreat - Dan Hendricks has patiently run this 4-YO thru his conditions; clever claim will run in stakes soon.

Gold Aly - Sharp win last out at Inglewood; good tactical speed, no telling where his ceiling may lie either.

Long Shot - Cape Truth

Race 6 - 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail out 7 feet), Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

Blazing - Stretches out for the first time around 2 turns; he still looks like he has an upside for Neil Drysdale.

Royal F J - He's bad at winning, great at finishing second; tried blinkers on last time to no avail.

Long Shot - Uzziah

Race 7 - 6 furlongs, Purse $54,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Subsidized - Bob Baffert got away with one when not claimed in price tag debut; flattered when Nicole H won next out.

Saint Isabelle - Took time and 4 career starts to finally come around; Saint Liam filly appears to have some ability.

Long Shot - True Religion

Race 8 - 6 furlongs, $250,000 Bing Crosby, 3-year-olds and up

Cost of Freedom - Loses his rider Tyler Baze to injury; Rafael Bejarano is an able sub, plenty of gas in the tank.

E Z's Gentleman - Perfect trip winner of the Triple Bend; key for me is the weight shift of 7 pounds with the favorite.

Long Shot - El Brujo

Race 9 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

Dazzling Razz - Like the turn back in distance where he should still be strong late; Doug O'Neill barn is firing bullets.

The Full Lavino - Bad race last time as the big favorite; may get ignored because of that, Rafael Bejarano remains loyal.

Long Shot - Willis

Best Bet - Bandeira Union (race 2)

Del Mar Saturday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 20/3/$19.00; Long Shots, 10/2/$35.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals - 152/40/$272.80; Long Shots, 76/8/$98.60; Best Bets, 9/3/$17.60

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #7 Cherokee Queen (4/1) in race 9 at Monmouth Park. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Chuckie's Honor ran out at Saratoga. Stats - 138/98/$748.40