Horse racing: Today at Del Mar, July 20
TODAY AT del mar
By Richard Eng
Post Time 2:05 p.m.
Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $43,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
3 Congregationalist - Tepid chalk exploded with a big win last time; the key is whether he repeats or regresses.
5 Orangeyouacutie - Sharp claim by Vann Belvoir off a rare FTS win for Tim Yakteen; must have been playing I Spy in stables.
Long Shot - 7 Wise Boss
Race 2 - 1 mile (turf), Purse $53,000, Claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
7 Aerial Artist - Somehow Saul Arias was able to take this horse off the pace in route; chance to upset again at a square price.
4 Magic Channel - Import making his U.S. debut for Mike Mitchell; watch the tote board for clues.
Long Shot - 6 Tricky Shane
Race 3 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $28,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
5 Pure Blush - Peter Miller wants to win races badly at Del Mar; he drops this one thru the floor in search of victory.
4 Star Vesta - Been away 9-month so will be fresh; always respect the team of Rafael Bejarano and Jerry Hollendorfer.
Long Shot - 6 Bonita Star
Race 4 - 1 mile, Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
3 East Sky - Mike Mitchell claimed this horse four races ago; he has shown steady improvement from race to race.
7 Soi Phet - Where did that last win come from, first off the claim by Leonard Powell; repeat race would beat these too.
Long Shot - 2 Slammer Time
Race 5 - 1 1/16th miles, $90,000 Osunitas, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
2 I Dazzle - Chance to get a perfect ground saving trip; she has the talent, just needs a trip under Victor Espinoza.
5 Unusual Hottie - Logical chalk in a wide open stakes; this could clearly be a blanket finish at the wire.
Long Shot - 6 Top Kisser
Race 6 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $75,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
3 Guns Loaded - You’ll have a big edge over me in seeing the tote board activity; rooting for Cody Autrey, he is persistent.
7 Shakahari - Morning line favorite, but you’ll know way before me; tough race in second leg of the pick 6.
Long Shot - 2 Southern Freedom
Race 7 - 6 furlongs, Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
2 Hail Mary - Mike Mitchell has another live one today; Julien Leparoux likes to take them back, so don’t be surprised.
3 Heat Trap - She is 2-for-2 for Carla Gaines; Victor Espinoza quietly is riding very well and getting more chances.
Long Shot - 10 Ostourah
Race 8 - 1 1/8th miles (turf), $300,000 Eddie Read Handicap, 3-year-olds and up
4 Jeranimo - A 5-YO Jeranimo would probably crush this group; he’s slowed a step or two, but is capable on his best days.
3 Fed Biz - Not often can you get Bob Baffert at 6/1 in a stakes; this is a poor grade 1 field, this colt has a big shot.
Long Shot - 1 Barocci
Race 9 -1 mile, Purse $38,000, Claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up
1 Joe Carl - Claimed by Doug O’Neill, who is off to a solid start; the rail on the main track has been good so far.
2 Rock This Way - Claimed by Bob Hess off a sharp win over lesser; hasn’t paired wins in a long time, but he still fits.
Long Shot - 3 Would You
Race 10 - 7 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up
5 Patriotic Lion - An 0-for-25 horse is usually the first horse you toss; this field is so slow, it may finally be his time.
1 Dark Timbers - The rail is good and this horse has run a few decent races; you’ll want to be spread in the pick 4 and 6.
Long Shot - 7 Somewhere With You
Best Bet - 5 Pure Blush (race 3)
Del Mar Friday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/5/$35.80; Long Shots, 7/2/$17.00; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.80
Del Mar Totals - 49/14/$106.60; Long Shots, 24/3/$24.00; Best Bets, 3/2/$8.60
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #1 My Happy Face (3/1) in race 10 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, I’ll Call ran second at Saratoga paying $6.10 to place and $3.90 to show. Stats - 115/75/$570.90; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick
