HORSE RACING

TODAY AT DEL MAR

By Richard Eng

Post Time 3:30 p.m.

Race 1 - 1 mile, Purse $23,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds

Stormin Story - Mike Mitchel has an uncoupled entry, this is the longer odds; lost to North Folk in last, another Mitchell.

Russian Liquor - Tepid chalk in a wide open race; note that Garrett Gomez rides this cheapie, sure to depress his price.

Long Shot - Romance Is Zenon

Race 2 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Gold Datnoid - Like the turn back in distance from routes for this; she could be the only horse rallying in deep stretch.

Kilmartin Hall - All out win in last, maybe she has another left in her; consistent sort is 6-for-9 in the money in 2008.

Long Shot - Hard Woman

Race 3 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Good Shot Mally - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; off 5-months, returns with Bejarano.

My Sister Laureen - Tepid chalk in an awful looking race; her last two seconds tower over these, somewhat consistent.

Long Shot - Paradise Point

Race 4 - 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 7 feet), Purse $56,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Donas Miracle Lane - Good spot facing mostly underachievers; tactical speed to clock Dine At Nine and challenge him late.

Dine At Nine - Speedball draws the preferred rail post in this abbreviated turf sprint; goes as fast and as far as he can.

Long Shot - Havens Lake

Race 5 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $50,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

Tactful - Ran well, but greenly, in debut; figures to improve a lot in second start, Tyler Baze takes over for Garrett Gomez.

Pinstripe Kid - Blew a tire as the chalk in last; forgiving handicappers will give him another chance at much higher odds.

Long Shot - Tiz Again Roused

Race 6 - 1 mile, Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

North Fork - Phenomenal race in last to overcome an awful start; logical repeater unless the race took too much out of him.

Nima's Pad - Huge trainer and rider switch to John Sadler and Garrett Gomez; suspect Gomez will sit a trip and grind late.

Long Shot - South Coast

Race 7 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 7 feet), $80,000 Sandy Blue Handicap, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Sweeter Still - Gets class relief from graded stakes to this ungraded variety; huge rider switch by Mullins to Garrett Gomez.

Dubai Majesty - Interesting shipper from Calder debuts for top trainer Bret Calhoun; her one turf race was a corking victory.

Long Shot - Danseuse Volante

Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $42,000, Maiden claiming $100,000, 2-year-olds

Bowie at Saratoga - Jeff Mullins has been firing a lot of bullets of late; his babies typically improve with experience.

Mr. Rod - Ran well enough last time to merit strong consideration; has speed but Solis is no longer a send it jockey.

Long Shot - Pick to Click

Best Bet - Tactful (race 5)

Del Mar Thursday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/3/$18.00; Long Shots, 8/3/$70.60; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals - 415/100/$699.20; Long Shots, 216/32/$416.80; Best Bets, 26/7/$32.60