Horse Racing: Today at Del Mar, Aug. 29

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2:05 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $33,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Mille Luna – Speedball joins the Adam Kitchingman barn; drops in for a price tag and could wake up.

2 Two Blue Hens – Garrett Gomez had choices and opted to ride for Tom Proctor; will sit a trip and finish late.

Long Shot – 4 Intoxicating Move

Race 2 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

2 Field Report – After six seconds in last seven starts, is it finally time to win; he is the fastest horse in the field.

9 He’s Dance Star – Must draw in off the also eligible list; been away 13 months, but many of these don’t want to win.

Long Shot – 5 Toledo Eddie

Race 3 – 7 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

1 Hope ‘n Pray – Huge class dropper for Steve Miyadi; will save every step of ground, that can’t hurt either.

8 The Gatekeeper – Tepid chalk from John Sadler; gives a shot to a 10-pound bug rider, best if just shows some speed.

Long Shot – 5 Cruel Spirits

Race 4 – 1 mile, Purse $20,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

7 Pure Blush – This is for forgiving handicappers only; I like horses with unfathomable last out running lines like this guy.

6 Unkept Rendez Vous – Claimed by Victor Garcia who has had an incredible meet; 5 wins and seconds among only 17 starters.

Long Shot – 2 Hawfinch

Race 5 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $43,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

9 Rolanda – Claimed by Gary Sherluck who tries blinkers on; key vote for me is top rider like Garrett Gomez taking the call.

2 Journey On – Sharp win last time out for Doug O’Neill; now facing winners for the first time.

Long Shot – 1 Motivated

Race 6 – 7 furlongs, Purse $33,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, 2-year-olds

3 Sailors Brother – More love for Steve Miyadi on today’s card; he puts blinkers on off a pair of good seconds.

7 Znelle – Claimed by John Sadler who does not take many; like that he hires main man Rafael Bejarano.

Long Shot – 4 Brighton Star

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

9 Pat’s Back – Returns off a 8-month hiatus; has high speed, so Peter Miller takes the blinkers off to relax her.

7 Out of Thin Air – Can sit a trip and maybe benefit from a fast early pace; Alex Bisono is not the problem here, he’s OK.

Long Shot – 3 Bluegrass Ellie

Race 8 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $80,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

3 Strong Wind – Did everything but win last time in a solid effort; gets class relief from a stakes for this condition race.

5 A Toast to You – First time gelding is the ultimate equipment change; grinder type always gives his best.

Long Shot – 2 Summer Exclusive

Race 9 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

10 Denzel – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; Bob Baffert cull is his only starter today.

5 Concorde West – Claimed by Jeff Bonde which can be a good thing; he puts blinkers on for the wake up call.

Long Shot – 7 Arizona Wildcat

Best Bet – 3 Strong Wind (race 8)

Del Mar Wednesday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/3/$13.00; Long Shots, 7/2/$21.40; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.60

Del Mar Totals – 512/121/$885.20; Long Shots, 248/41/$443.80; Best Bets, 31/9/$35.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #3 Little Rocket (5/2) in race 3 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Wednesday, Flash Forward won at at Saratoga paying $6.30 to win, $3.20 to place and $2.40 to show. Stats – 144/95/$766.50; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick