HORSE RACING
TODAY AT DEL MAR
By Richard Eng
Post Time 2 p.m.
Race 1 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds
River Rebel - When in doubt, in Mullins we trust; chalk is sliding down the claiming ladder to the lowest level of his career.
Surfer Kris - Broke thru with victory running first time for a claiming price; is well spotted where a repeat is possible.
Long Shot - Tribble
Race 2 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Salt Castle - Futile chase of Mullins monster Freddie Ruth in debut; key is she was only 4-lengths behind the second horse.
Mini Tales - Tepid chalk mainly because someone has to; ran evenly in debut, has good pedigree, sold for pennies at Keeneland.
Long Shot - Rally the Rebels
Race 3 - 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $51,000, Claiming $50,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds and up
Honored Gold - Mitchell may be weaving his magic again with this improving filly; she really took to Hollywood Cushion track.
Miss Josiey Wales - Logical chalk is taking a solid class drop to face these; was overmatched in last, should relish this.
Long Shot - Lady in Love
Race 4 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $53,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Comical Vacation - Mullins had the confidence to debut her in a stakes; had a horrendous trip, but never stopped trying.
North Rodeo - One of the few Baffert babies to run well on the Polytrack; key may be her style as a come from behind type.
Long Shot - Unusally Hot
Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Claiming $20,000, 4-year-olds and up
Wheaton Hall - Sure to be overlaid off a DNF race last time at Pleasanton; she has back class and is in clever hands of Sadler.
Celtic Sword - Second start off a 2-month hiatus; Nakatani has been the most successful jockey, so far, over the Polytrack.
Long Shot - Zayed
Race 6 - 1 1/18th miles, Purse $21,000, Claiming $12,500, 4-year-olds and up
Tumbaga - Just missed last time on the drop by Kitchingman; he may have this guy going in the right direction, square price.
Patriotic Flame - Mitchell is live this meet and horses like this will show why; Baze will sit a trip and come running late.
Long Shot - Spriggzee
Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $59,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
Acquire the Fire - Good try in a low level NoCal stakes; has tactical speed to sit a perfect trip, square price at 6/1 odds.
Scandalous - Logical chalk got nipped in a stretch duel last time; he may not want to go far, but he's shown he can go fast.
Long Shot - My City By The Bay
Race 8 - 6 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
Complexity - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to claiming; moves from parking lot post 11 to the rail today.
Peace Accord - Reclaimed by Sadler, as strong a trainer angle as there is; a beaten favorite in his last four starts.
Long Shot - Sierra Gold
Best Bet - Comical Vacation (race 4)
Del Mar Sunday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/2/$8.20; Long Shots, 9/1/$7.60; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Del Mar Totals - 272/64/$407.40; Long Shots, 138/20/$223.00; Best Bets, 17/7/$33.60
