Horse Racing: Today at Del Mar, August 21

Post Time 4 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $36,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

9 Good Looking – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; like the cutback in distance too from a 2-turn turf mile to a sprint.

7 Vronsky’s Devka – Showed some moxie in last before tiring in the late stages; chance to be forwardly placed again and last a bit longer.

Long Shot – 8 I’m a Drama Mama

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $36,000, Claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

8 Mistaken Identity – Leap of faith that Rafael Bejarano is jumping on a live one; was claimed by Mark Glatt for $16K so no loss if this one gets claimed.

7 Basmati – Remember that the Pick 6 starts in this race, not race 3; there is a bulky 2-day carryover in excess of $300K.

Long Shot – 2 High Test

Race 3 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $50,000, Claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds

8 Trifecta – Trainer Philip D’Amato has zoomed up my list of trainers I like to bet on; he claimed this one for $40K out of a win and shoves him right back in.

3 Rockin Robin – Won for $50K and now is dropped to $40K by Mark Glatt; red flag move except that Rafael Bejarano takes the call.

Long Shot – 5 Lovenseek

Race 4 – 5 ½ furlongs, Purse $26,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, 2-year-olds

4 Kelly With a Twist – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; when a race like this is buried in the Pick 6, you must be careful.

6 Dixie Writer – There are many unknowns, and little knowns, in this bulky field; you won’t have the advantage of the tote board before playing your Pick 6.

Long Shot – 9 True Ranger

Race 5 – 1 mile, Purse $72,000, Optional claiming $20,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

7 Chief of Staff – Has shown a solid dirt resume in two seconds in a row over the main track; tactical speed to sit a perfect trip for Rafael Bejarano.

6 Storm Comin Thru – Really ran a clunker in last in Del Mar dirt debut; he is better than that and can run well at somewhat improved odds.

Long Shot – 9 Prince Charmant

Race 6 – 1 3/8th miles (turf, rail at 24 feet), $80,000 CTT and TOC Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Dido – Trainer Graham Motion doesn’t show up in SoCal very often, but when he does he means business; this horse was shipped out with some Pacific Classis runners.

8 Honey Lake – I’ll make this an Eastern exacta box; Vicki Oliver is vastly underrated so when she shows, and hires Rafael Bejarano, pay close attention.

Long Shot – 7 Circling

Race 7 – 1 mile, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

10 Unstoppablepassion – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; her race two back is fast enough to give these plenty of trouble.

9 Olympic Lady – Final leg of a 2-day Pick 6 carryover; if you are live to this point I’m certain you did an excellent job.

Long Shot – 7 Katsfashion

Best Bet - 3 Dido (race 6)

Del Mar Thursday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/6/$40.40; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$4.00

Del Mar Totals - 441/101/$685.40; Long Shots, 218/30/$377.80; Best Bets, 25/10/$43.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #5 Marking (5/1) in race 10 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Beyond Empire ran third at Saratoga paying $2.70 to show. Stats - 122/83/$647.30; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick