HORSE RACING

TODAY AT DEL MAR

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2 p.m.

Race 1 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds

Cathy's Crunches - Private purchase from Calder could be any kind; in the right hands of the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer.

Gator at Fonz's - Sharp maiden claiming win at 3/5 odds chalk; from Mike Mitchell, they usually hold their form.

Long Shot - Michailasheartlite

Race 2 - 1 1/16th miles (turf), Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

Papa Lev - Ground saving rail post could speed the difference; an Unusual Heat, we know they love the turf.

Minister d'Oro - Tom Bell is one of the old time underrated trainers; like the vote from Rafael Bejarano.

Long Shot - Prince of Gotham

Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $54,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up

Capital Account - Could not have been more impressive in first start victory; must prove himself through conditions.

Patriotic Soldier - Fairly fast 4-YO has been stuck in this class four times; good tomato can for the favorite to test.

Long Shot - Equiparado

Race 4 - 1 mile, Purse $29,000, Claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds

California Soldier - Interesting claim by John Sadler; if you draw a line thru last, his form looks good too.

Ministers Power - Last time he ran for a $20K price tag, he won easily; saves all the ground with a quick left turn.

Long Shot - Luv Dragon

Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

Mister Jazz - Must overcome a parking lot post, but his race two back is fast enough to upset; should keep his value.

Mytigersnosissy - Been away a full year; the key is his fitness level, he ran fast in debut and is dropping in class here.

Long Shot - Pride of Wilshire

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

Movie Duty - Has exited two races both fast enough to beat these; Rafael Bejarano can clock the speed from the wide out.

Word Association - Joel Rosario made an interesting choice of mounts; a rough trip in last flattered by Ninth Infantry's next out win.

Long Shot - Ascot's Highflyer

Race 7 - 1 mile (turf), $75,000 Wickerr, 3-year-olds and up

Riviera Cocktail - Slowly but surely, he's read to win a stakes; finally won through all of his conditions.

Gallant Son - Logical chalk exits two good races facing much tougher; just needs racing luck for Mike Smith.

Long Shot - Ferneley

Race 8 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

Swiss Tart - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; Mike Harrington takes the blinkers off.

Offlee Wild Boys - Another dropping in class drom MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much to compete with these.

Long Shot - Call Me Later

Best Bet - Cathy's Crunches (race 1)

Del Mar Sunday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/4/$36.00; Long Shots, 9/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals - 85/21/$155.40; Long Shots, 43/2/$26.60; Best Bets, 5/2/$15.00

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #7 Charmed (5/1) in race 6 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Maybesomaybenot won at Saratoga paying $21.20 to win, $10.60 to place and $7.00 to show. Stats - 134/97/$735.40