HORSE RACING
TODAY AT DEL MAR
By Richard Eng
Post Time 2 p.m.
Race 1 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $29,000, Claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up
Soupy – Logical chalk slides down the claiming ladder to this cozy spot; reunited with hot riding Tyler Baze.
Wait in Line – Sure to be overlooked with Lone Star lines; proven tough as nails throughout his career.
Long Shot – Streets of Heaven
Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds
Empire House – It’s Christmas in August as Neil Drysdale drop him down; need not be much to handle this crew.
Lordgivemealift – Speedball will try to bottom out the field for Jeff Mullins; Tyler plays catch me if you can.
Long Shot – Scopps Express
Race 3 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $51,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds
High Five Gal – FTS from Doug O’Neill who admits to a bevy of fast babies; watch the tote board for clues.
Magic Yodeler – Of those with experience, her two starts look best; saves ground under Alex Solis.
Long Shot – Whispering Hush
Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $51,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
Ivory Fudge – Second time out for this John Sadler baby; ran OK in debut, now switches to Garrett Gomez.
Lions Story – Beaten favorite in debut for the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer; should improve second out.
Long Shot – Alfarabi
Race 5 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 7 feet), Purse $60,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up
Cadillac – Could be sitting on a big race; Gomez replaces Mike Smith who is riding Mine That Bird at Mountaineer.
Laddies Poker – Did everything but win last time in a gritty effort; faces tougher in today’s heat.
Long Shot – Times Gone By
Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $17,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up
Captain Time – Tim Yakteen runners have been hot so far; big class drop points him out as a logical contender.
Waafi – Dead late closer should see plenty of cheap speed to chase; will find his best stride late.
Long Shot – Benezit
Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse $51,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
Sterling Outlook – Chased the talented Lookin at Lucky last time; repeat effort makes him the one to beat.
Tweebster – FTS from Bob Baffert who has a bushel of fast babies; watch the tote board for betting clues.
Long Shot – Sticky Candy
Race 8 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 7 feet), $150,000 San Clemente Handicap, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Strawberry Tart – Overcome a tough trip to win going away in the Flawlessly; proved she can rate.
Carlsbad – She is one gutsy filly; won’t have the early lead with Oilgonewile around, see if she can sit a trip.
Long Shot – Acting Lady
Race 9 – 6 furlongs, Purse $47,000, Claiming $50,000, 4-year-olds and up
Six Pack Abs – Big class relief to face these; Garrett Gomez has yet to make his mark at Del Mar this summer.
High Standards – One of many returning from a lengthy layoff; exits a key race and from a shrewd barn.
Long Shot – Tall Texan
Race 10 – 6 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds up
Ultra Awesome – Slides to the bottom in a now or never spot; her last two races are fast enough to beat these.
Bouncer – Beaten favorite is better than she showed in last; expect improvement at a square price.
Long Shot – Tribal Fire
Best Bet – Ultra Awesome (race 10)
Del Mar Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/3/$11.00; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$5.00
Del Mar Totals – 134/32/$246.80; Long Shots, 72/8/$94.40; Best Bets, 7/3/$11.40
SIMULCAST PICK OF THE DAY – #5 Charitable Man (4/1) in race 9 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, The Best Day Ever ran out at Belmont Park. Stats – 111/88/$640.30