HORSE RACING
TODAY AT DEL MAR
By Richard Eng
Post Time 2 p.m.
Race 1 - 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds and up
I'll Prey For You - Red flag class drop from O'Neill, he's done this before to end a losing streak; huge back class edge.
Commander Gary - Claimed by Hollendorfer off a game win, that's enough vote for me; like that Espinoza takes the call too.
Long Shot - Wild Nekia
Race 2 - 7 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Grecian Spur - Beaten favorite in last, has coughed up the lead late twice in a row; key for Espinoza is to time his move.
Cool Commander - Like the turn back in distance from 2-turns to this elongated spriint; the Mig will sit early, ask late.
Long Shot - Latin Louie
Race 3 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $63,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Galileo's Star - Got a test drive in last off a year hiatus; Cassidy has an uncoupled entry so beware, could shake things up.
Temperance - Ran fine in her return off a 9-month sabbatical; should move forward, save ground, and be tough under Flores.
Long Shot - In Reality
Race 4 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $53,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Akella - One of many expensive, well-bred babies in the field; she has strong 1-turn pedigree and may be better suited here.
Exquisite Timing - Cassidy rarely gets this kind of young talent, it'll be interesting to watch her today; exits a bullet work.
Long Shot - Royal Humor
Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $40,000, Claiming $32,000, 4-year-olds and up
Ghosttrapper - Churchill resume points to a classy claimer who figures to be awful tough; has won in front or off the pace.
Witness This - Spawr has pointed a few horses for this meet, and has been on target; chance to sit a trip behind pacesetters.
Long Shot - Count Orange
Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $53,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
Palladian General - Talamo gets a live mount from the Gaines barn; been away a full year, but showed talent in his one start.
Attack Jack - Logical chalk is worth trying to beat off of three seconds in a row; he figures to be a very short price today.
Long Shot - So Behold
Race 7 - 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $63,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
Surf Town - Bounced last time off a strong victory two races back; beat Our Partner who won a strong race on Saturday.
Master Heat - Dead late closer could wake up at boxcar prices; the pace could be quick and contested, should be rolling late.
Long Shot - Unusal Treasure
Race 8 - 1 1/16th miles, $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Nashoba's Key - She was boxed in last time and ran only a quarter mile to the finish; who knows how good she can really be.
Balance - Espinoza did everything perfect on her in the Vanity, and still could not hold off the chalk; most likely contender.
Long Shot - Bai and Bai
Race 9 - 7 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up
Scottish Diamond - Arlington shipper has been running, and well, over Chicago Polytrack; Harty hires meet leading rider Baze.
Mystery Hunter - Comes from the ice cold Headley barn, but is dropping severely in class; Smith rides in a now or never run.
Long Shot - Tradition
Best Bet - Ghosttrapper (race 5)
Del Mar Saturday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 19/6/$30.00; Long Shots, 9/1/$9.00; Best Bet, 1/1/$5.40
Del Mar Totals - 254/62/$407.40; Long Shots, 129/19/$215.40; Best Bets, 16/7/$33.60
