HORSE RACING

TODAY AT DEL MAR

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2 p.m.

Race 1 - 1 mile, Purse $42,000, Claiming $32,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Beyla - Dead late closer got up in the final stride last time under Brice Blanc; Mike Mitchell drops her in class for this.

Bartok's Bling - Been freshened 2-months off a win for Sandy Shulman; upset winner is spotted at the same class for Tyler.

Long Shot - Forest Miss

Race 2 - 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

Anatolian Gold - I'll try the class dropper to try and upset the favorite; he showed speed early and faded, last's longer.

Afleet's Design - Logical chalk off a decent second facing this kind; figures to get overbet with Bejarano and Hollendorfer.

Long Shot - Sur Brio

Race 3 - 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 14 feet), $125,000 California Dreamin' Handicap, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

Bold Chieftain - We've seen him win before in SoCal; he appears to be a step better on turf and has been well managed so far.

Mr. Wolverine - Dead late closer should be flattered by a likely quick early pace; Micheal Baze sits chilly to make one run.

Long Shot - Comoros

Race 4 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $63,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Lighten Up Rule - Jeff Mullins has an uncoupled entry here, I suspect one of the two will win; stretches out around 2-turns.

Summertime - Other Mullins was unlucky to lose last time; she is well spotted and showed some ability in the Midwest tracks.

Long Shot - Deanne's Ring

Race 5 - 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

Dollar Mountain - Ran sluggishly in last and had to much to do in the stretch; he appears to be a grinder, not a quick closer.

Ginobili - He runs very well, but just fast enough to finish second; one of these days he won't get caught, maybe today.

Long Shot - Holy Thunder

Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $64,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

Bilo - Speedball can be taken to try and bottom out the field; big class drop should put him in an enviable spot, catch me.

Six Pack Abs - Returns from a 7-month hiatus; fresh and fit for John Sadler, expect a sitting trip to pick up the pieces.

Long Shot - Men Only

Race 7 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $53,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds

Gato Go Win - Second time Jeff Mullins babies typically improve a lot; pretty fair price if he holds his 6/1 morning line.

Oyster Cat - Morning line favorite must draw in from the also eligible list; Eoin Harty hires main man Rafael Bejarano.

Long Shot - Fiery Rebel

Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $18,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up

The Unclean Spirit - We'll try for a price in a wide open low level race; O'Neill takes the blinkers off to dull his speed.

Bettin an Sweatin - Logical chalk due to a big class drop and Bob Baffert; the Baffert barn has been glacier like this meet.

Long Shot - Saxophone

Race 9 - 1 1/16th miles, $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Zenyatta - Champion filly won the Vanity despite running her "B" race; she's better than that and should show that here.

West Coast Swing - Interesting Midwest invader has been well managed by Shannon Ritter; this is a good test for class.

Long Shot - Silver Z

Race 10 - 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

Chanjo - Third start off a 9-month hiatus; he bounced in last after a strong comeback race, Sadler hires Rafael Bejarano.

Youthful Ambition - Was test driven in debut so discount the finish; Richard Mandella adds blinkers on, expect much better.

Long Shot - Red Door Drive

Best Bet - Zenyatta (race 9)

Del Mar Friday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$25.00; Long Shots, 8/1/$29.80; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals - 244/54/$432.20; Long Shots, 125/17/$212.40; Best Bets, 15/4/$19.20