Horse Racing: Today at Del Mar, Nov. 20

Race 1 – 5 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Maiden claiming $62,500, 2-year-olds
2 Semper Fortis – Has been well bet in all career starts; taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming, also turning back in distance from a mile.
4 Five Star Jack – Did a classic pop and stop in career debut; figures to be in front early again, in a race like this you never know if it’s a no passing zone field.
Long Shot – 7 Alaskan Cruise
Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds
4 Classic Gent – If the race falls apart late, this is the prime candidate to pick up the pieces; was a beaten favorite in last after a poor start, but he can finish.
3 Bandido Too – Speedball should try to leave quick and be the lone speed if possible; taking a huge class drop to face a much easier group.
Long Shot – 2 Justonemorething
Race 3 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 18 feet), Purse $36,000, Claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds
5 Lovenseek – With the turf rail out 18 feet, his speed should be an asset; he beat a few of these last time out, unless someone challenges early, should have the same trip.
4 John’s Success – Was a beaten favorite facing many of these last time out; he closed strongly in prior turf starts, but came home evenly in last though well placed.
Long Shot – 2 Red Button
Race 4 – 1 mile, Purse $29,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds
4 Tiz Jolie – Trainer Bill Spawr has a strong uncoupled entry and both appear very capable of winning; I went with this one first due to his higher morning line odds.
3 A Colt Following – This is the other Bill Spawr horse; was claimed out of a condition claiming win for $16K, key for me is he faces a similar group tonight.
Long Shot – 5 Ain’t Misbehavin
Race 5 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 18 feet), Purse $28,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
6 Fishel – Impressive MSW win going long on grass in last; his last two turf routes proves this is where he belongs, key tonight will be if he improves a step or two.
11 Commander King – Has a nice late kick which could come into play late; key will be finding a trip from a parking lot post, since he’s a closer he can sit in arrears.
Long Shot – 2 Saxon Lord
Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Optional claiming $50,000, 2-year-olds
3 Go Long – You can draw a line thru the last 3 starts, all in much tougher stakes; the first two races to me are more indicative of what he can do and where he belongs.
1 Frac Candy – Could be a clever claim by trainer Peter Miller out of a sharp maiden claiming win; he was claimed the race before too, but it was voided by the track vet.
Long Shot – 5 Freedom Hill
Race 7 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 18 feet), Purse $53,000, Optional claiming $20,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
3 Nite Delite – Tried a turf sprint in last and looked like a brand new animal; trainer Art Sherman tried blinkers on too, hope the barn cashed at a juicy 38/1 odds.
5 Sharaun – Looks like a private purchase after a sharp MSW win at Golden Gate; could not land in better hands than the maestro, Jerry Hollendorfer, expect improvement.
Long Shot – 9 No Comparison
Race 8 – 5 ½ furlongs, Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds
2 Hurricaine Callie – Has finished in the money her last 5 starts without winning; record looks like the one of jockey James Graham who has 1 win but lots of placings.
6 Casino Fever – FTS from HOF trainer Bob Baffert; the tote board should tell you all you need to know, last leg of the pick 6 and pick 4, hope you are spread out.
Long Shot – 11 Lucky to Win
Best Bet - 5 Lovenseek (race 3)
Del Mar Thursday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$18.00; Long Shots, 8/3/$53.00; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.80
Del Mar Totals - 217/59/$333.80; Long Shots, 105/13/$166.00; Best Bets, 13/6/$18.20
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #7 Runway Blvd. (3/1) in race 7 at Churchill Downs. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Battle Tap won at Churchill Downs paying $5.40 to win, $4.00 to place and $2.80 to show. Stats - 171/114/$866.10; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick