HORSE RACING

TODAY AT DEL MAR

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2 p.m.

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

Defense King - Continues his winning ways since claimed by Doug O'Neill; tactical speed to sit a trip.

Form a Posse - Been chasing Defense King, hoping to turn the tables; Alex Solis may need to move first.

Long Shot - Turbo Energy

Race 2 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Church Avenue - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; his debut race wins this.

Lady Alex - Rough trip in last, is likely to improve with clear sailing; second start off a 2-month hiatus.

Long Shot - Unknown Heat

Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up

Droumeragh - Was favored in U.S. debut, shown nothing since; Jeff Mullins drops to the bottom, adds blinkers on.

Waafi - Tepid chalk in a wide open race; figures to sit in arrears and try to circle the entire field late.

Long Shot - Engine Sixty Nine

Race 4 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

Prima Figlia - Was well bet when everything went wrong in debut; key for me is Joel Rosario hops back on board.

Right to Work - Second career start was like night and day from debut; chance to improve even more for Doug O'Neill.

Long Shot - Siberian Heart

Race 5 - 1 mile, Purse $18,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up

Low Gear Power - Circled the field last time to gain the lead, caught late; Garrett Gomez must save some ground.

Harlene - His race 2-back against this class was pretty good; he's earned more than $221K with 1-lifetime win.

Long Shot - Spinning Sound

Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $32,000, Maiden claiming $62,500, 2-year-olds

Mytigersnosissy - Peter Miller has had a terrific Del Mar meet; no shock if this guy goes wire to wire.

Ishmael - Bob Baffert cull ran OK in price tag debut; drops again so Hall of Fame Bob knows what he has.

Long Shot - Pico Pico

Race 7 - 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $62,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Silent Stalk - Had her perfect turf record broken in last; speed to protect her post and kick it in late.

Langs Lash - Long awaited debut for Neil Drysdale filly; don't suspect she'll be cranked up for this one.

Long Shot - Pretty Katherine

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

Sheza Foxy Jackpot - Mike Mitchell barn is slowly, but surely, heating up; expect improvement in second start.

Downhill Diva - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much in here.

Long Shot - Dinnr With Nikki C

Best Bet - Defense King (race 1)

Del Mar Wednesday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/5/$28.00; Long Shots, 8/1/$6.80; Best Bet, 1/1/$6.40

Del Mar Totals - 275/70/$496.00; Long Shots, 143/14/$163.20; Best Bets, 15/6/$26.20

SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY - #5 Fiftycentsondollar (5/2) in race 4 at Monmouth Park. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Wednesday, Starship Angel ran second at Saratoga paying $3.20 to place and $2.40 to show. Stats - 119/95/$705.90