Horse Racing: Today at Del Mar, November 5

Race 1 – 1 mile, Purse $18,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Sayitright Kat – Sprinter stretching out should be able to set an easy lead; we’ll find out early on today if this may be a speed favoring oval.

5 Bayonet – Logical chalk has finished twice in a row; the last win was a do over because she was disqualified two races ago and placed ninth.

Long Shot – 1 Watdifrenzdzitmake

Race 2 – 7 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

1 I’ll Play My Hand – I hope this 7-pound apprentice has improved some because he is riding the fastest horse in this race; hug the rail and don’t do anything dumb.

3 Run the Show – Second start off a 2-year hiatus; ran first time for a price tag in return and ran a solid second, one step of improvement can win this.

Long Shot – 4 Zarqa Star

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $55,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Pica – After two turf sprints returns to the main track where she has had a lot of success; she has good early speed and has a chance to open up early on with these.

3 Achiever’s Legacy – Last seen in April after four graded stakes starts in a row; should enjoy the class relief, but the key is how tight she will be wound for this.

Long Shot – 5 Distinta

Race 4 – 1 3/8th miles (turf, rail at 6 feet), Purse $53,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

6 Unusually Green – Has not a drop of early speed, but is a natural marathon galloper; Rafael Bejarano can now concentrate on winning another SoCal riding title.

1 Mr T Bird – Claimed two races ago by trainer Philip D’Amato; never threatened in last, but now is dropped in class and gets a big rider switch to Kent Desormeaux.

Long Shot – 2 Nahem

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Hennythelovepenny – Trainer Peter Miller has been a little frustrated with this one, so he takes the blinkers off tonight; should sit a perfect trip from a wide post.

4 Ponder Lea – Tepid chalk off a graduation day win in last; was claimed out of the race by trainer Richard Baltas, who protects her in this spot.

Long Shot – 5 Vocalist

Race 6 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 6 feet), Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

2 Cheekaboo – If the rail horse shoots out to the early lead, as I suspect, she should be able to get a nice ground saving position; tries 2-turns for the first time.

6 Lynne’s Legacy – After a horrendous career debut, showed some life and ability in her turf debut in last; this is not an overly fast group, just keep grinding along.

Long Shot – 1 And in the End

Race 7 – 6 ½ furlongs, Purse $32,000, Claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds and up

8 Basmati – Expect the favorite to stalk Seeking the Sherif and try that one in the deep stretch; has maintained consistently good form this entire season.

6 Seeking the Sherif – Jockey Mario Gutierrez best be on speed dial as this one could be lone early speed, the best bet in horse racing; fly me to the moon Alice.

Long Shot – 2 Hackleton

Race 8 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 6 feet), Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Boat Drinks – Been knocking on the door with 5 for 5 in the money finishes on grass; either she’s overdue to graduate or just one of those frustrating nibblers.

5 Send Me a Sign – Tries turf for the first time for trainer Ron Ellis; the key for me is she is showing an improving form pattern, if she likes sod then look out.

Long Shot – 1 Rastanora

Best Bet – 6 Hennythelovepenny (race 5)

Del Mar Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/5/$26.00; Long Shots, 7/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.40

Del Mar Totals – 68/19/$99.40; Long Shots, 33/2/$19.00; Best Bets, 4/2/$5.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #1 Hogy (7/2) in race 2 at Churchill Downs. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Saturday’s Charm ran third at Belmont Park paying $3.00 to show. Stats – 163/108/$816.90; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick