HORSE RACING

By Richard Eng

Post Time 3 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 mile, Purse $24,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds

Defense King – Doug O’Neill found a cozy niche and keeps him right there; notice how no one claimed him.

Run Over You – Lone speed is the best bet in horse racing; Berrio-Avila play catch me if you can.

Long Shot – Low Gear Power

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds

Ten Forty Five – Terry Knight is one underrated trainer; bred to win early, watch the tote board for clues.

G W Fin’s – Speed pedigree by El Corredor; Eric Guillot and Southern Equine have popped some good looking babies.

Long Shot – Calcutta Rose

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $10,000, 4-year-olds and up

Be Realistic – Tiny edge in a bad looking race; A.C. Avila barn is hot now, could do damage the rest of Del Mar.

Bullya – Draw a live thru his last race and his resume looks OK; definitely for forgiving handicappers.

Long Shot – Sandita

Race 4 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $53,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds

Tweebster – Even running in debut; Bob Baffert switches to turf quickly, must have seen something.

Alfarabi – Logical chalk facing a lot of question marks in here; well bet in both starts, should keep improving.

Long Shot – Wings of Sound

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $10,000, 4-year-olds and up

Raingear – Ran a winning race in last for this bottom claiming level; repeat effort puts him in the number.

Brother Man – Speedball should be able to clear early; if speed is holding up early on, move him up a notch.

Long Shot – Autocue

Race 6 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Catsalot – There is so much speed in here, the closers have a big shot; ran big in last at Golden Gate.

Hotrod Kelly – Exceptional turf record at many levels; the turf rail is out 14 feet, there will be a speed duel.

Long Shot – Salty Sarah

Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Unusually Hot – An Unusual Heat get with a big chance to win, shocking; bugboy saves ground, angles out late.

Debating Society – Has found her comfort level and figures to be dangerous; tactical speed to sit a trip.

Long Shot – Havens Lake

Race 8 – 1 3/8th miles (turf, rail at 14 feet), $85,000 CTT and TOC Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Black Mamba – Big time class relief from graded stakes; should win easy if she has anything left in the tank.

Gloria Goodbody – John Glenney’s best shot to win this meet; Joe Talamo will send and sit controlling the pace.

Long Shot – Lemon Chiffon

Race 9 – 6 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

Danceuponthestars – Good second in debut, albeit in slow time; if he improves a step of two, he’ll be tough.

Unusual D J – A Barry Abrams FTS by Unusual Heat; watch the tote board for clues, this is an overall bad field.

Long Shot – Marino’s Star

Best Bet – Black Mamba (race 8)

Del Mar Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/6/$44.00; Long Shots, 8/1/$9.40; Best Bet, 1/1/$4.40

Del Mar Totals – 461/113/$797.20; Long Shots, 243/26/$385.40; Best Bets, 25/9/$37.40

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY – #5 R Little Nugget (4/1) in race 3 at Monmouth Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Broad Stone scratched at Monmouth Park. Stats – 129/98/$724.10