HORSE RACING

TODAY AT DEL MAR

By Richard Eng

Post Time 3:30 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds and up

Orientation Hall - Ran a winning race for this modest class last time; gets a small break from some parking lot posts.

Little Dude - Fought hard for the lead in last before succombing late; should improve in second start off a 3-month hiatus.

Long Shot - Exotic Story

Race 2 - 1 3/8th miles (turf), $80,000 CTT & TOC Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Green Lyons - Gets class relief from graded stakes for this minor stakes; Drysdale hopes to give her a confidence builder.

Marzelline - She's shown flashes of quality in a pair of U.S. wins; she figures to sit a trip and come flying in the lane.

Long Shot - Hopehopehope

Race 3 - 1 mile, Purse $28,000, Claiming $20,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Deanne's Ring - Takes a small, but significant, drop in class; Peter Miller barn has done well from a limited sample.

Hottodi - Tepid favorite ran evenly in this class last time out; she lost to a couple horses that are in today's field.

Long Shot - Catch Candy

Race 4 - 1 mile, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

Honouramongfriends - Jeff Mullins has an uncoupled entry so beware; taking the big class drop from MSW to maiden claiming.

Kizzy's Chaos - Another taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; has been working OK for this.

Long Shot - Legend of My Own

Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $16,000, Claiming $10,000, 4-year-olds and up

Traffic Update - Big improvement since Jeff Mullins claimed him last year; had a tough trip rallying from the parking lot late.

Power Shift - Ran evenly off the claim by Mark Glatt; he drops him to the bottom where it'll be now or never time.

Long Shot - Bettin An Sweatin

Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $61,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

Valiant Effort - Been freshened the past 2 months up at Hollywood; has been a solid producer for Ron Ellis since claimed.

Shadow of Illinois - Monster race last time off a 2-year sabbatical; as long as he's not muscle sore, he should fit in.

Long Shot - A Cat Named Snipe

Race 7 - 1 1/16th miles (turf), Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $80,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Solar Miss - Had a miserable trip last time, bad enough to switch from Bejarano to Garrett Gomez; has flashed major potential.

Fire n' Brimstone - Has shown a distinct lack of killer instinct; reunited with Tyler Baze hoping they fire their best shot.

Long Shot - Lemon Punch

Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Maiden claiming $32,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds

Fastcar to Freedom - Ran fast enough last time to beat these, if she repeats; facing an incredibly slow group in here.

Not So Good - When the starters show little, you need to look twice at the FTS; from the live Doug O'Neill barn.

Long Shot - Monica C C

Best Bet - Orientation Hall (race 1)

Del Mar Thursday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/5/$29.20; Long Shots, 8/1/$15.20; Best Bet, 1/1/$5.60

Del Mar Totals - 510/127/$862.20; Long Shots, 266/37/$460.20; Best Bets, 32/10/$45.80