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