HORSE RACING
September 1, 2010 - 11:00 pm
TODAY AT DEL MAR
By Richard Eng
Post Time 2 p.m.
Race 1 - 1 mile, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 2-year-olds
Grand Maneuver - Found his best stride too late in last; unknown is no starter has ever gone around 2-turns before.
Draft Only - With the experienced runners showing modest talent, you must eyeball any FTS; watch the tote for clues.
Long Shot - Graydle's Red
Race 2 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
Greeley's Ghost - Solid entry from Carla Gaines; she could cap a tremendous meet the right way by winning again.
Oak Kay Why - Another trainer have a top notch meet is Jim Cassidy; this guy shows signs of wanting more ground.
Long Shot - It's Not Unusual
Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
Quintons Flash - Big improvement in winning off the claim by John Sadler; flattered when D'oro Dancer win next out.
Spectacular Slew - Logical favorite due to the Bob Baffert connection; will this be Baffert's swan song at Del Mar.
Long Shot - Honour Family
Race 4 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $52,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds
Move On Gypsy - Been second in two grass tries; Jim Cassidy adds blinkers on for more focus.
Favoloso - Interesting value play at 6/1 odds; like that Joel Rosario sticks and Tim Yakteen adding blinkers on.
Long Shot - Tiz Smoke Tiz Fire
Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $15,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up
Squeeze Me Tight - Monster win in last, a repeat run will beat these too; must draw in from the also eligible list.
Dreams Afleet - Ran miserably in last, but his prior race was very good; for forgiving handicappers only.
Long Shot - Light of a Star
Race 6 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 2-year-olds
Courtside - Shortest way home from the rail; chalk ran OK in career debut, one step improvement makes him double tough.
Certainly Certain - Beaten favorite, but there are many of those at Del Mar; his race two back was good enough.
Long Shot - Basic Strategy
Race 7 - 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $54,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Separate Forest - Didn't beat much in debut at Santa Rosa; the key is how she did it and the speed figure earned.
Easy Ashley - Speedball tactics from this Wesley Ward bomber; hard to believe she's still eligible for this condition.
Long Shot - Pink Diamond
Race 8 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 2-year-olds
Dime - Figures to show improvement second time out; was not embarrassed in debut, now is dropping in class.
Final Answer - FTS from the meet leading trainer Doug O'Neill; like that he hires Rafael Bejarano for debut.
Long Shot - Topperazzi
Best Bet - Move On Gypsy (race 4)
Del Mar Wednesday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/3/$16.60; Long Shots, 8/1/$6.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Del Mar Totals - 510/124/$813.00; Long Shots, 255/42/$426.20; Best Bets, 31/13/$59.40
SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #9 Snow Top Mountain (7/2) in race 4 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Wednesday, Stream of Gold ran out at Saratoga. Stats - 158/113/$850.20