Horse Racing

TODAY AT DEL MAR

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2 p.m.

Race 1 - 1 mile, Purse $26,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

It's Not Unusual - Ran better than looked in career debut; typical green try, slow early, very fast late.

Absolutlypositivly - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much to compete.

Long Shot - Kim's Leading Man

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

Squeeze Me Tight - Sliding down the claiming ladder for Mike Mitchell; strong favorite in a very comfortable spot.

Suances de Espana - Was flattered in last when Stroppy won next out; Doug O'Neill is well on his way to the trainer title.

Long Shot - Missoula

Race 3 - 1 mile (turf), Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

Papa Lev - Had no shot in last sprint over synthetics; proven faster on grass, that's where he returns to today.

Cantona - Ran well in turf debut last time; part of a blanket finish, he figures to be a big underlay in here.

Long Shot - Romeo Royale

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

Warring Heart - Jim Kasparoff drops this guy to the price tag he claimed 3 races ago; just trying to get his money back.

Cee's Closing Time - If there is anything left in the tank, P Val will find it; blinker's on, expect a speed effort.

Long Shot - Sheekey

Race 5 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

Tuba Man - Sliding down the maiden claiming ladder to this career-low class; like that Rafael Bejarano remains loyal.

The Full Lavino - Second start off a 2-month hiatus; beaten favorite lost a nose for John Sadler, one of the ones.

Long Shot - Three Pointer

Race 6 - 5 furlongs (turf), Purse $54,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Missdealornodeal - Logical chalk off a sharp turf sprint win in last; tactical speed to sit close or rally from the back.

Pink Diamond - Figures to be way overbet, if not favored, with P Val up; lost 2 photos by the slimmest of margins.

Long Shot - Queen Mariles

Race 7 - 1 mile, Purse $62,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Madel - Game win in last, now loses her rider to the chalk Pure Class; I still like this one with P Val substituting.

Made for Magic - Served as cannon fodder for Zenyatta in last; this is more her speed, can outrun this ranking.

Long Shot - Emmy Darling

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

Tiger Trysts - Adam Kitchingman has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; ran OK in debut, capable of improving.

The Phenom - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; John Sadler adding blinkers on.

Long Shot - Not in This Life

Best Bet - Missdealornodeal (race 6)

Del Mar Wednesday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/3/$16.20; Long Shots, 8/1/$13.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals - 350/86/$579.40; Long Shots, 173/22/$243.40; Best Bets, 21/8/$38.40

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #2 I've Got Speed (7/2) in race 9 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Wednesday, Quebrada Shiner won at Saratoga paying $3.80 to win, $2.70 to place and $2.20 to show. Stats - 150/106/$809.20