HORSE RACING
August 31, 2008 - 9:00 pm
TODAY AT DEL MAR
By Richard Eng
Post Time 2 p.m.
Race 1 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $45,000, Claiming $50,000, 4-year-olds and up
Forest Phantom - This has the look of a fire drill leaving the starting gate; Bejarano will sit chilly and make one big run.
Exceeding - Perfect trip win last time with Joe Talamo taking advantage of a fast race shape; he figures to be flattered too.
Long Shot - Capt. Joe Blow
Race 2 - 5 furlongs (turf), Purse $56,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
Mt. Orient - Mike Mitchell turns him back in distance where he figures to stalk the early pace; like that he hires Gomez.
Wiredfortwotwenty - Logical chalk is wired big time for early speed; big test facing winners for the first time.
Long Shot - Belafonte
Race 3 - 1 mile, Purse $53,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Grey Chatlaine - Ran green as grass in debut; she broke poorly, Gomez let her settle in arrears, then she took off in the lane.
Century Park - Good try last time when she gave way grudgingly; Bob Baffert takes the blinkers off so she'll see her enemies.
Long Shot - Scarbourough Fair
Race 4 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $20,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds and up
Smoocher - Despite a slow early pace, he inhaled the field easily in last; Garrett Gomez remains loyal to the cause.
Brave Sun - Slid down the claiming ladder until he found a level he could compete; switch to Espinoza for the money shot.
Long Shot - The Supply Program
Race 5 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $50,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
Kaptain Kordough - Ran a winning race last time for this level; loses Bejarano to the chalk, which will only help his price.
Major Smoke - The money is sure to follow Bejarano on this favorite; colt should appreciate the turn back in distance here.
Long Shot - Flier Money
Race 6 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $38,000, Claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds
South Bay Scoty - Moves from the rail to the parking lot, which in this case will help; Bejarano stalks and pounces late.
Storm Brave - Big class drop can only help his cause; you'll get an inflated price because Arambula replaces Garrett Gomez.
Long Shot - Suit Yourself
Race 7 - 1 mile, $100,000 Torrey Pines, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Golden Doc A - Freshened 3-months since a miserable try at Belmont; she's trained forwardly and is reunited with Bejarano.
Miss Singhsix - She won like a very talented filly last time for Paddy Gallagher; this will be a good litmus test for her.
Long Shot - Distant Victory
Race 8 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $50,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
Princeandrew - FTS from the Bob Baffert barn looks like he's a runner; Las Vegas Don Stanley is a co-owner of this colt.
Details R Sketchy - Been working forwardly for Carla Gaines, enough to draw the attention of Garrett Gomez; watch the board.
Long Shot - Ridin' Hard
Race 9 - 1 1/8th (turf), $350,000 Del Mar Derby, 3-year-olds
Nownownow - This is a grade 1 turf horse going off at 6/1 odds today; reunited with the very talented Julien Leparoux.
Gio Ponti - Logical chalk off some fine graded stakes wins back east; Christopher Clement has earned our respect.
Long Shot - Blue Chagall
Race 10 - 6 furlongs, Purse $22,000, Claiming $16,000, 4-year-olds and up
Common Trust - Reclaimed by Jeff Mullins, one of the strongest trainer angles there is; he ran his best races in that barn.
Caddymaster - Lots of value for a last out winner claimed by Jerry Hollendorfer; he's got plenty of room to improve.
Long Shot - Jamie
Best Bet - Golden Doc A (race 7)
Del Mar Saturday- Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/3/$29.40; Long Shots, 9/2/$21.00; Best Bet, 0/0/$0
Del Mar Totals - 643/156/$1,062.20; Long Shots, 331/47/$574.60; Best Bets, 39/12/$58.40