HORSE RACING

TODAY AT DEL MAR

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2 p.m.

Race 1 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $50,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

Eisenheim - Second career start after a promising debut; John Sadler barn has come under the microscope of late, we'll see.

Concerto's Thunder - Three seconds in five starts point to a possible herd mentality; Bejarano remains loyal to the cause.

Long Shot - Lakota Gold

Race 2 - 1 mile (turf), Purse $44,000, Claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Chelcee's Hope - You won't find a more wide open race than this; Mike Mitchell has an uncoupled entry, so caveat emptor.

Tough Apples - Taken by Sadler, given time to recover and acclimate to SoCal; has back class where she's run some good ones.

Long Shot - Exquisite Beauty

Race 3 - 6 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds

Tribal Chief - Sliding down the claiming ladder where he can be the boss today; should see a contested pace to sit off of.

Sandita - Third start off a 2-month hiatus; grinder will try to sit the same trip as the favorite, another contentious race.

Long Shot - Coronas At Delmar

Race 4 - 6 furlongs, Purse $50,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

One Perfect Karat - Typical Solis baby ride to take way back and make one run; filly should benefit from the experience.

Victory Dancer - Logical chalk has two good seconds facing similar fields; speed has been holding well, why not send her?

Long Shot - Costa Marta

Race 5 - 1 mile (turf), Purse $60,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 3-year-olds and up

Ginobili - Sure to be overlooked because he just graduated last time; he's as fast and consistent on turf as anyone in here.

Crimson Star - Was well bet in last running in a tougher condition; gets modest class relief and a new pilot in Mike Smith.

Long Shot - Sky Victor

Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $38,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds and up

Make Mine Vodka - Is dropped back in class to the level he last won at; contested pace should flatter his closing style.

Storm Machine - Like that Sadler bumps him up one notch in class despite losing in last; also Bejarano remains loyal too.

Long Shot - Silver Vista

Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $61,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Set Play - Ran wide throughout in last and still finished with energy; should improve in second start off a 6-month hiatus.

Homemade Brew - Has been overmatched in the Flawlessly and Railbird; she fits well with these and offers good value.

Long Shot - Silent Kitten

Race 8 - 1 3/8th miles (turf), $250,000 Del Mar Handicap, 3-year-olds and up

Spring House - He ran like a short horse in last off a 4-month hiatus; wasn't going to beat Monzante who raced right by him.

Transduction Gold - Marathon specialist is overlaid at 12-1 odds; he runs one paced, but will save all the ground inside.

Long Shot - Tissy Fit

Race 9 - 6 furlongs, Purse $50,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Date With Fate - Two of my choices exit a key race and are high odds; if she shows modest improvement, she is a big threat.

Hot n' Dusty - Was a handful pre-race and load, but found her best stride in the lane; tepid chalk in the pick 6 capper.

Long Shot - Wild Apart

Best Bet - Set Play (race 7)

Del Mar Friday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/3/$18.20; Long Shots, 7/1/$20.60; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals - 525/130/$880.40; Long Shots, 273/38/$480.80; Best Bets, 33/10/$45.80