HORSE RACING

TODAY AT DEL MAR

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Claiming $10,000, 4-year-olds and up

Self Insured - The only horse in the field to have won on Del Mar synthetics; like Rafael Bejarano up.

Skippy Due - Tepid chalk in an open opener; sharp win last out at Hollywood, must duplicate that here.

Long Shot - One Vote

Race 2 - 1 mile, Purse $21,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Secret Oath - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; off the turf angle.

Lisa Lulu - Was scratched from Wednesday for this easier spot; she is 0-for-21 lifetime, will she finally get it?

Long Shot - Diva Gone Wild

Race 3 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 7 feet), Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

Greely's Ghost - No barn is hotter at Del Mar than Carla Gaines; tactical speed to sit a perfect trip.

Eze Does It - Finished fifth, beaten a length, last out; it was a better-than-looked effort.

Long Shot - Gotham Devil

Race 4 - 1 mile, Purse $16,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Sheeza Beast - Martin Garcia takes over for the injured Tyler Baze; ground saving trip ahead.

Argenta - Taking a huge class drop for the white-hot Doug O'Neill; value comes from jockey Kerwin John.

Long Shot - Tuscan Moon

Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

First Queen - Everything Doug O'Neill throws out there, you have to look twice; has enough back class to get it done.

Light of a Star - Has been nearly flawless this year; claimed by Chuck Treece, should offer value with Ramon Guce up.

Long Shot - Tribul Witch

Race 6 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 2-year-olds

Not in This Life - Twice beaten chalk comes to Del Mar to get his picture taken; Jeff Bonde adds blinkers on and Rafael Bejarano.

Shane Daniel - FTS from the hot Doug O'Neill barn; you'll have an edge over me of seeing the tote on the newcomers.

Long Shot - Dancing At Dark

Race 7 - 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 7 feet), Purse $54,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

Quick Enough - Sharp win in comeback, claimed by Doug O'Neill; proven sprinter at this class, turf or dirt.

Bradium - Speedball did everything but win last time out; he is quick and gritty, clearly the one to beat.

Long Shot - Winter Camp

Race 8 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 2-year-olds

Certainly Certain - Where did that last race come from?; if he repeats that, he'll be tough to catch.

Mi Alma - You'll have a big edge over me in seeing the betting on the many FTS; right connections of Rosario and Kitchingman.

Long Shot - Gibson Home Run

Best Bet - Secret Oath (race 2)

Del Mar Wednesday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/3/$21.60; Long Shots, 7/2/$19.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals - 186/47/$316.40; Long Shots, 92/10/$117.60; Best Bets, 11/4/$21.40

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #1 Pulpit Point (7/2) in race 8 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Wednesday, Renewed Hope ran second at Saratoga paying $4.40 to place and $3.80 to show. Stats - 140/99/$756.60