Horse Racing: Today at Del Mar, Aug. 8

Post Time 2:05 p.m.
Race 1 – 5 ½ furlongs, Purse $39,000, Maiden claiming $62,500, 2-year-olds
4 Navy Hymn – Clearly has the best resume going into this heat; sliding down the maiden claiming ladder again to face an easier test.
7 Midnight Edition – FTS from the Bob Baffert barn; this is not one of the better ones, not if he debuts with a price tag and is not protected.
Long Shot – 5 Knight of Drama
Race 2 – 5 ½ furlongs, Purse $22,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
4 Warren's Dixi Bell – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this new low class; her race two back, if repeated under Rafael Bejarano, would crush these.
7 Fab Four Ever – Showed some improvement in her first ever start at Del Mar; Victor Espinoza takes over for Flavien Prat who is serving a suspension.
Long Shot – 6 Mudge
Race 3 – 6 ½ furlongs, Purse $70,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
3 Toews On Ice – Beaten favorite in career debut from the Bob Baffert barn; his baby typically improve with experience, he'll be heavily favored again.
1 Young Brian – FTS from trainer Philip D'Amato barn; like the fast he hires the main man Rafael Bejarano, these two could form a dynamite tandem.
Long Shot – 5 Letithappen
Race 4 – 7 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
3 Rockin Rhythm – Her debut race for a bottom level price tag was OK; exits a bullet work and has every right to improve a step second time out for Peter Eurton.
4 Sayitright Kat – Been away 10 months but ran protected in a Cal-bred MSW; returns at the bottom run and for a new trainer Richard Baltas.
Long Shot – 12 Sidepocket Bet
Race 5 – 6 ½ furlongs, $200,000 Best Pal, 2-year-olds
4 Swipe – Trainer Keith Desormeaux knows this Birdstone colt will improve as the races get longer; there should be plenty of speed to set him up.
6 Annie's Candy – Won in easy fashion last time after losing a head bob to Nyquist two races ago; a lot of these colts have flashed early speed.
Long Shot – #5 Nyquist
Race 6 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $72,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 3-year-olds
9 The Gomper – Rallied like a bat out of hell last time to just miss; it was his first time on grass and he sure seemed to like the surface.
4 Forest Blue – Has good tactical speed either to lead or sit close to the early pace; everything seems to be going right lately for Victor Espinoza.
Long Shot – 5 Seve's Road
Race 7 – 6 ½ furlongs, Purse $72,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
9 Black Betsy – Did a classic pop and stop last time and has been given some time off; she is quick and draws a cozy parking lot post to lead or stalk.
5 Pearl de Vere – Tepid chalk in a very difficult heat; her last two turf sprints were good, but switches back to the main track tonight.
Long Shot – 7 Discatsonthesquare
Race 8 – 1 1/8th miles (turf), $250,000 John C. Mabee, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
3 Fanticola – Looks like potential lone early speed at this 9-furlong distance; not sure who will want to sacrifice by going after her the first half mile.
2 Emotional Kitten – Was unlucky in the Goldikova last November when she ran second but was disqualified to fourth; HOF Gary Stevens climbs aboard for the first time.
Long Shot – #7 Queen of the Sand
Race 9 – 6 ½ furlongs, Purse $40,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
7 Nextdoorneighbor – This has been an amazing mid-level claimer; has won 5 of 8 starts this season and almost always runs a strong effort regardless.
2 Real Heat – Is a ship and win candidate and that has been a good bet angle over the years at Del Mar; trainers know the first shot in SoCal is their only shot.
Long Shot – 6 Sacred Ovation
Race 10 – 7 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
2 Barbs Angel – Sliding down the maiden claiming ladder to this lowest rung; has had chances to graduate but never faced such a moribund group.
12 Chicago Angel – Can't argue if she looks like a professional maiden; she's had 13 chances and cashed a lot of paychecks, but has been camera shy.
Long Shot – 1 Crystal Harbor
Best Bet - 4 Warren's Dixi Bell (race 2)
Del Mar Friday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$23.80; Long Shots, 8/1/$14.60; Best Bet, 1/1/$5.40
Del Mar Totals - 286/60/$435.20; Long Shots, 140/22/$274.60; Best Bets, 16/5/$21.20
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #2 Juba (5/2) in race 6 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Vinegar Joe ran out at Saratoga. Stats - 113/78/$607.10; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick