Horse Racing: Today at Del Mar, Aug. 23

By Richard Eng

Post Time 4 p.m.

Race 1 – 7 furlongs, Purse $43,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds

4 Humorous – Chalk sliding down to the lowest class level of his career; tactical speed to sit a nice trip throughout.

5 Space Runner – Dallas Keen doesn’t claim many in SoCal; this horse has changed barns four races in a row.

Long Shot – 1 One Firm Cat

Race 2 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, 2-year-olds

11 Heyyoucan – Figures to draw in off the also eligible list; blinkers off after a much improved effort last time out.

6 Salt Power – Tepid chalk in an early opener to the pick 6; regressing Beyer numbers is not a positive, but could rebound.

Long Shot – 8 Mr. Obeso

Race 3 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $62,000, Claiming $50,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

2 Meltarib – Ran evenly in last facing a group tougher than this; this may be the hardest race on the card.

6 Miss Well Molded – Ran 2 good races at Del Mar last year; suspect Paddy Gallagher was pointing to this meet, maybe this race.

Long Shot – 1 Ricspretentiousgal

Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $33,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Queen of the Hill – This race is equally as difficult as race 3; would not be surprised if the pick 6 carryovers over again.

7 Sugar Spice – Racing with no shoes, if you factor in that sort of thing; has high cheese to lead wire to wire.

Long Shot – 8 Tiz the Route

Race 5 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $33,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

6 Southern Sunrise – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; his 103 Beyer last year sticks out.

2 Broker Brett – John Sadler is leading trainer and here is an example why; he spots horses where they can win, like this guy.

Long Shot – 3 Fly High

Race 6 – 1 3/8th miles (turf), $90,000 CTT and TOC Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Midnight Music – This is another race that can go many directions; Tom Proctor is having a very good summer.

6 Topic – Ran a solid third in the Grade 1 American Oaks; this is easier but still a tough spot, very well balanced field.

Long Shot – 9 I Dazzle

Race 7 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

6 Public Defender – Mike Mitchell has his big horse Obviously running on Sunday; this guy ran a winning race for this class 2 back.

9 Chocolatier – This colt is a good example why the class drop from MSW to maiden claiming is so big; solid contender again.

Long Shot – 10 Tuckers Point

Best Bet – 6 Southern Sunrise (race 5)

Del Mar Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/4/$26.00; Long Shots, 7/3/$33.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals – 447/104/$775.80; Long Shots, 217/31/$342.00; Best Bets, 27/5/$20.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #8 Judy the Beauty (5/1) in race 9 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Sam’s Buck ran out at Saratoga. Stats – 141/92/$749.30; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick