HORSE RACING

TODAY AT DEL MAR

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, 2-year-olds

The Phenom - Looks like another clever claim by Mike Mitchell; he improved a lot last time for top trainer John Sadler.

Warrens Heartthrob - Typical green debut where he was slow early, fast late; best stride should come in the lane.

Long Shot - Dancing At Dark

Race 2 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $36,000, Claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

Forthreeforeuclid - Ran evenly in last first off the claim for Peter Miller; drops in class, but keeps Rafael Bejarano.

Mark of a Warrior - Tepid chalk in a wide-open affair; claimed from Mike Mitchell by Jack Carava, caveat emptor.

Long Shot - Precious Duke

Race 3 - 6 furlongs, Purse $50,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds

Pacific Pride - Jerry Hollendorfer has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; ran evenly in a well-bet career debut.

Free Range - Exits a key MSW race full of precocious 2-YO fillies; likely to improve second out for Brian Koriner.

Long Shot - Anniversary Girl

Race 4 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up

Imco Spirit - Sliding down the claiming ladder to this new career-low price tag; Mike Pupye taking blinkers off.

Indy Ride - Draw a line thru the last turf race; he is better on synthetics, expect him to come rolling late.

Long Shot - Wolgan Valley

Race 5 - 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

Uzziah - Hard to believe Humberto Ascanio, long-time assistant to Bobby Frankel, is winless in 2010; he's much too good a horsemen.

Battle School - Beaten favorite in last had a tough trip to overcome; a clean trip for Brice Blanc can make all the difference.

Long Shot - Delahoosee

Race 6 - 7 furlongs, Purse $36,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds and up

All Man - Was ridden all wrong last time darkening his form; big class drop and more patience can make all the difference.

Sea Rascal - Sharp claim for Hector Palma, winning 2 in a row; dead-late closer usually sees cheap speed to charge at.

Long Shot - Leandros

Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $54,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

U. C. Merced Two - Claimed by Jorge Periban from Jeff Mullins and is aggressively upped in class; bit of a hunch play.

Daylight Storm - Claimed by Ted West off a sharp win; keeps the rider Rafael Bejarano and is placed in a smart spot.

Long Shot - Scofield Barracks

Race 8 - 1 3/8th miles (turf, rail at 14 feet), $200,000 Del Mar Handicap, 3-year-olds and up

Champ Pegasus - Big rider switch to Joel Rosario who won 5 on Saturday; leads the cavalry charge to the finish line.

Dynamic Range - Mike Mitchell has an uncoupled entry and both have a puncher's chance; 2 prep races, now ready for best.

Long Shot - Unusual Suspect

Race 9 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $21,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

My Last Tycoon - Like him stretching out around 2 turns at this bottom rung; has speed to be involved from the get go.

Casa O - Tepid chalk in a wide-open finale; Joel Rosario will need to find a trip from parking lot post 11.

Long Shot - Bred Royal

Best Bet - Champ Pegasus (race 8)

Del Mar Saturday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 21/7/$60.20; Long Shots, 10/3/$38.80; Best Bet, 1/1/$4.20

Del Mar Totals - 477/118/$783.20; Long Shots, 240/37/$419.80; Best Bets, 29/12/$54.40

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #3 Mr. Hot Stuff (4/1) in race 9 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Beyondallboundarys ran third at Saratoga paying $3.00 to show. Stats - 157/113/$850.20