Horse Racing: Today at Del Mar, August 30

Post Time 2:05 p.m.
Race 1 – 1 mile, Purse $27,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
5 Light Striker – Has been awfully busy in the claim box without winning a lot of races; taken by Rafael Becerra, he hires Tyler Baze for the mount.
1 Big Rosie Brown – Tepid chalk was also claimed last time out, by Peter Eurton; was ridden last time by Rafael Bejarano who remains loyal to the cause.
Long Shot – 4 Runningwiththelute
Race 2 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 18 feet), Purse $50,000, Claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
6 Ain’t No Other – Claimed by Paulo Lobo last time out; he’s trying to rebuild his stable from scratch, but one thing for sure is he’s a good trainer.
8 Pepnic – Been given a brief respite by trainer Bill Spawr; that has usually been a strong angle for the barn, when they come back they are ready to fire.
Long Shot – 1 Royal F J
Race 3 – 1 mile, $100,000 Torrey Pines, Fillies, 3-year-olds
1 Stellar Wind – As the lone grade 1 winner in the field, she has earned her favoritism; was all out last time to overcome a slowly paced route stakes.
3 Roksana – Juicy 8/1 odds leads me to this filly from Marty Jones; I suspect if another jockey other than Felipe Valdez was up, her odds would be halved.
Long Shot – 4 Rattataptap
Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Claiming $10,000, 3-year-olds and up
1 Chasing the Heat – Speed and the rail will be his recipe for success; Martin Garcia won on his in last, got claimed, but then it was voided.
4 My Slew – Claimed in last by Jeff Mullins who started the meet off with a bang, but has been quiet lately; this is only his 25th starter at this meet.
Long Shot – 8 Maximinus
Race 5 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 18 feet), Purse $39,000, Maiden claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up
7 Poythress – Tiny edge in what may be the toughest race on the card; race 5 is the final leg of the Pick 5 and a key part of the Pick 6.
2 Professor Berns – Tepid chalk in an incredibly wide open affair; would hope if you get this far, that you are spread out on your Pick 5 ticket.
Long Shot – 9 Gigantis
Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $40,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
6 Always a Chance – Has been very busy at the claim box this spring and summer; taken by Doug O’Neill, her race two back, if repeated, would crush these.
1 Hide My Heart – Was a laughing winner last time off a short vacation; trainer John Sadler may have found the key to unlock her talent, still she is not protected.
Long Shot – 7 Lucky Student
Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 18 feet), Purse $72,000, Optional claiming 480,000, 3-year-olds
4 The Gomper – Flavien Prat replaces Rafael Bejarano who opted to ride Frits Johansen for trainer Mark Glatt; this colt had a rough start and got shuffled far back.
10 Chiropractor – This has been a quiet meet for Drayden Van Dyke; I still believe the kid has a huge upside so he just has to keep working hard in the mornings.
Long Shot – 9 Forest Blue
Race 8 – 6 ½ furlongs, Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
11 Sunbeamsfromheaven – Don’t mind the parking lot post in this elongated sprint; returns off a 8-month hiatus, but has the right connections to pop the gate.
4 Bellamy Concerto – The deeper I get into this card, the more difficult it becomes; would not be surprised if we get a Pick 6 carryover into Wednesday.
Long Shot – 3 Visibility
Race 9 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 18 feet), Purse $75,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
9 Long Hot Summer – Ran a terrific second to Pure Exhibit last out in the Grade 3 Senorita; she is a talented Cal-bred straying outside of her comfort zone.
7 Colonel Joan – Has teased with her ability but hasn’t put it all together yet; like that James Graham is getting a chance to ride for trainer Eoin Harty.
Long Shot – 1 Royal Temptress
Race 10 – 7 furlongs, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $23,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
8 Divine Tale – Has been knocking on the door, but this is a particularly slow group; if she repeats her race of two back she can graduate by daylight.
12 Kiss My Face – Was made the morning line favorite due to a large class drop from $50K down to $20K; that alone gives her plenty of ammunition tonight.
Long Shot – 10 Rockin Rhythm
Best Bet - 9 Long Hot Summer (race 9)
Del Mar Saturday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 19/3/$26.80; Long Shots, 9/3/$39.80; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.40
Del Mar Totals - 559/133/$902.00; Long Shots, 276/39/$484.80; Best Bets, 32/13/$54.40
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #5 Run of the River (5/1) in race 10 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Neck of the Moon ran third at Saratoga paying $3.00 to show. Stats - 128/89/$678.90; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick