Horse Racing: Today at Del Mar, Aug. 21

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2:05 p.m.

Race 1 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 14 feet), Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Sweet Assay – There is a lot of early speed in this field; she will try to be the speed of the speed and break away.

6 Upbeat Mood – Exits a couple of stakes so this is class relief for her; see if Mike Smith opts to take back a length or two.

Long Shot – 1 Brilliant Melody

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

4 South Floyd – Claimed by Bob Hess off a narrow defeat; adding blinkers on and switching to Joe Talamo for the money shot.

3 No Rachmones – There are some ship and win candidates still coming out; has gotten a handful of Del Mar works under him.

Long Shot – 6 Zip Cat

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

10 Three Cuties – Another taking a big class drop to face an easier test; Iggy Puglisi will offer value, he does not get bet.

6 Imkept Rendez Vous – Tepid chalk in a wide open affair; sliding down the claiming ladder to the bottom for Eoin Harty.

Long Shot – 5 La Torera

Race 4 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $48,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds and up

7 Mr. Bossy Pants – Exits a hard fought win, now bumps up one notch in class; like that Edwin Maldonado remains loyal.

8 Midnight Crooner – Won the Oceanside here last summer; he’s not quite that quick anymore, but these are his friends.

Long Shot – 2 Oak Kye Why

Race 5 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $38,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

9 Sir Barclay – Did a classic pop and stop in career debut; suspect will improve second time out and last much longer.

5 Song of the Times – FTS from Ed Moger is soft chalk in a hard race; your edge over me is you’ll get to see the tote action.

Long Shot – 13 Sailors Brother

Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

9 Zuboff – Huge class drop to $25K, a level he has won at previously; need only repeat one of his better past races.

12 Raised a Secret – Tepid chalk in a really difficult pick 6 sequence; would not be surprised to see another carryover.

Long Shot – 5 Master Chef

Race 7 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $80,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

7 Broken Sword – The maestro Jerry Hollendorfer adding blinkers on after a narrow loss; tactial speed to sit a nice trip.

6 Burns Turn – Grinder has been unlucky to finish second in 4-of-6 starts; that’s good for cashing paychecks, wins are better.

Long Shot – 4 Qiaona

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Glad’s Gals – Art Sherman adding blinkers on after a good closing third; hoping for more focus and late acceleration.

10 Floatthrutheair – Claimed by Peter Miller who is behind the 8-ball trying to defend his title; this is a motley crew.

Long Shot – 9 Katey Pie

Best Bet – 4 South Floyd (race 2)

Del Mar Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 19/7/$39.20; Long Shots, 9/1/$7.00; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.60

Del Mar Totals – 417/97/$722.60; Long Shots, 202/26/$293.40; Best Bets, 25/5/$20.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #8 Cowboy Prince (8/1) in race 7 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Tapicat ran out at Saratoga. Stats – 139/91/$742.20; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick