HORSE RACING

TODAY AT DEL MAR

By Richard Eng

Post Time 3:30 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $44,000, Maiden claiming $100,000, 2-year-olds

Follows None - Has the right style to graduate over Polytrack, slow early, fast late; underwhelming grinder in an open race.

Good Direction - Tepid chalk dueled hard for the lead in last before succombing late; should do wonders for his conditioning.

Long Shot - Media Man

Race 2 - 1 3/8th miles (turf, rail at 14 feet), $85,000 CTT and TOC Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Imagine - Talk about a rider's race, there is no speed at all in here; loved the way she drew off last time under Nakatani.

Nakaba - Gets big time class relief from the grade 2 Beverly Hills for this; figures to be a quarter mile sprint for home.

Long Shot - Sol Mi Fa

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

Hasty Texan - Been away 3-months, but turned in five good Del Mar drills for this; big class drop and leading rider Baze.

Alpine Nugget - Solis is getting the hang of the Polytrack; his typical wins are to sit way back and make one looping run.

Long Shot - Sur Chi Chi

Race 4 - 6 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds

Conclave - Perfect trip win last time and is not ambitiously placed in class today; has back class where a repeat is likely.

Alias Jones - This is a much better animal than we've seen lately; he takes a big drop in class for Harrington to wake up.

Long Shot - River Rebel

Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

Cool Commander - Ran like he needed the race last time, his first out in 7-months; improves a step, the Mig can get him home.

Mike's Trippin - Rallied nicely in last and now gets veteran rider Court for the money shot; should see plenty of early pace.

Long Shot - Cascadia's Star

Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds

Strength - Trainer Miller may be the unsung hero of the meet; this guy ran a winning race for this class level last time out.

Roar in Solana - Like that Nakatani remains loyal despite a miserable performance in last; his race two back was pretty good.

Long Shot - Tribble

Race 7 - 1 1/8th miles, Purse $68,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

Fire Wood - Ran well in return off a 1-year hiatus despite the DQ to fifth; switch to Valdivia, will be closing fast late.

Rush Rush - Exiting a strong effort in the grade 2 Sunset; this is a much easier spot, but no guarantee he'll run any better.

Long Shot - Dadsalittleunusual

Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Peace by Peace - There are not many wire to wire winners over Polytrack, but this is a good candidate; the Mig will send.

Blazeitgirl - Regressed in second start after a decent enough debut; reunited with Talamo who will sit chilly for one run.

Long Shot - Secret Bargain

Best Bet - Conclave (race 4)

Del Mar Thursday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 14/5/$50.00; Long Shots, 8/1/$5.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals - 513/123/$890.60; Long Shots, 259/33/$430.40; Best Bets, 31/14/$59.60