HORSE RACING
TODAY AT DEL MAR
By Richard Eng
Post Time 2 p.m.
Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $32,000, Maiden claiming $62,500, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Queen of Victory - Decent debut though all were smashed by runaway winner Lady Schnapps; should improve for Doug O'Neill.
Trash Master - Claimed by the red hot John Sadler, so expect some good karma; beaten favorite can be taken to improve too.
Long Shot - Sweetwaterwind
Race 2 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $23,000, Claiming $16,000, 4-year-olds and up
Smoocher - Rallied from Dodger Stadium last time to just miss; if Garrett Gomez keeps him a tad closer early, he can win.
Driven By Excess - Claimed by Dan McFarlane off a sharp wire to wire win; key will be if he can duplicate the winning effort.
Long Shot - Sidepocket Cat
Race 3 - 1 mile, Purse $53,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up
Evaluate - Third start off a 14-month hiatus should be his best; Bob Baffert finally won another race at the meet on Sunday.
Hidden Trail - Made a decent hidden middle move in debut; Bobby Frankel adds two big things, blinkers on and Rafael Bejarano.
Long Shot - Pearl Fisher
Race 4 - 1 mile, Purse $44,000, Claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up
Tap It Light - Claimed by the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer off a good try; like that Rafael Bejarano signed up to ride.
Wild Buddy - Sliding down the claiming ladder to this new career low level; he's 9-YO, so he's claim proof in this soft spot.
Long Shot - Our Dancer
Race 5 - 1 mile, Purse $53,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up
Vulcan - Strong run last time points him out; Garrett Gomez remains loyal to the cause, duplicate effort will win it.
Holy Humor - Second start off a 2-month freshening; like the turn back in distance where he may be more effective.
Long Shot - China Bank
Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 2-year-olds
Atlantra's Tantrum - Good effort in stakes bodes well in this much softer spot; huge rider switch to Rafael Bejarano.
Lightning Diablo - Another exiting stakes races for this condition race; his best races have come over synthetic surfaces.
Long Shot - Dashwood
Race 7 - 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 7 feet), Purse $61,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up
Delta Storm - Ran huge first time of the claim by Mike Mitchell; it was a winning race for this class level, need only repeat.
My City by the Bay - He was right there with Delta Storm, so if you like one, you'll like the other; good tactical speed.
Long Shot - Summer Haze
Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Flashing Forward - Gary Sherluck drops him in class off a solid effort; beaten favorite gets a big rider switch to Bejarano.
If Not for You - Ran well in last when dropped in for a claiming price; returns after a 2-month freshening for Doug O'Neill.
Long Shot - Desert Siren
Best Bet - Delta Storm (race 7)
Del Mar Sunday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/0/$0; Long Shots, 9/3/$20.60; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Del Mar Totals - 464/111/$779.20; Long Shots, 242/35/$437.40; Best Bets, 29/7/$32.60
