Horse Racing: Today at Del Mar, Oct. 30

Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Maiden claiming $62,500, 2-year-olds
1 Classico – Was favored in his career debut and ran OK; logical contender with just a step of improvement for trainer Doug O'Neill.
5 Knight of Drama – You don't see a horse too often go first time on Lasix after four career starts; trainer Scott Rollins has good pedigree to win races.
Long Shot – 2 Two the Punch

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds
7 Turn Your Eyes – Showed solid improvement second time out for trainer Steve Miyadi; don't mind the parking lot post where he can stalk the early speed.
2 Malibu Dude – Was favored in his career debut and ran evenly; takes the weight off with 7-pound bugboy Ty Kennedy who looks pretty good out there.
Long Shot – 5 Lucky Snow

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds
2 Aiming Straight – Has run some good races on an inconsistent pattern; like the rider switch to main man Rafael Bejarano for the money shot.
3 Hail Mary Play – I don't typically like picking maiden winners unless they showed me something extra; or in the case, the foes she faces are full of slowpokes.
Long Shot – 5 Sharp Holiday

Race 4 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 12 feet), Optional claiming $20,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
3 No Comparison – Has run two really big races since switched to trainer Kenny Black stable; if you've read my comments on Black, you know I like his work.
2 Silver Mojave – Taking a big class drop moving down from open company to face just Cal-breds; takes the weight off with bugboy Ty Kennedy, a lot to like.
Long Shot – 8 Sky Forever

Race 5 – 1 mile, Purse $17,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
2 Appealing Lady – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; like that jockey Corey Nakatani remains loyal to the cause.
3 Warren's Purrfect – Has closed nicely for second in each of her last two starts; at some point, and soon, it will be her turn to graduate.
Long Shot – 7 Chicago Angel

Race 6 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 12 feet), Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up
1 Another House – This dead late closer draws the rail in a 2-turn mile turf race; I love the spot as he will save every inch of ground with short run to the first turn.
7 Blue Law – Tepid chalk in an open affair; will need to carve out a trip from a parking lot post, but has good tactical speed and Brice Blanc to grab a spot.
Long Shot – 6 Dylan Ward

Race 7 – 7 furlongs, $200,000 Golden State Juvenile, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds
2 Smokey Image – Proved in the I'm Smokin that his NoCal form was not illusory; this is a talented colt who must show us later on how far he really wants to go.
7 Family Code – Steps up to stakes company for the first time; exits a career best effort so the key is whether he repeats, regresses or move forward.
Long Shot – 9 Found Money

Race 8 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 12 feet), Purse $59,000, 3-year-olds and up
1 Bal a Bali – Highly regarded Brazilian import has underachieved considering the hype; gets huge class relief from three graded stakes for this optional claimer.
8 Big Cazanova – Speedball figures to try and make the turf rail out 12 feet to his advantage; simple tactics for jockey Santiago Gonzalez.
Long Shot – 4 Texas Ryano

Race 9 – 6 furlongs, Purse $21,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds
8 Mothernaturespell – This horse is for forgiving handicappers only; his last race was a real stinker, but the race he was claimed out of, if repeated, can upset these.
2 Fab Four Ever – Last mount in SoCal before leaving for Keeneland and the Breeders' Cup; tactical speed to sit a good trip throughout.
Long Shot – 4 Scatchmeifyoucan

Best Bet - 2 Smokey Image (race 7)
Del Mar Thursday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/7/$34.20; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Santa Anita Final Totals - 319/70/$428.40; Long Shots, 162/35/$417.20; Best Bets, 17/4/$14.40
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #10 Illuminate (9/2) in race 8 at Keeneland. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Clearly Confused ran out at Keeneland. Stats - 160/106/$813.90; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick