HORSE RACING

TODAY AT DEL MAR

By Richard Eng

Post Time 4 p.m.

Race 1 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $30,000, Claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Golden Via - Claimed by Levine, she improved a lot in her last two starts; tactical edge, speed in a paceless looking race.

Blue Cay - Been away 3-months since winning his last start over Cushion track; when Mitchell horses get good, they stay good.

Long Shot - Silber

Race 2 - 6 furlongs, Purse $32,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds

Livia La Vida Loca - Talk about class relief, she exits two stakes for this starter allowance; just don't get trapped inside.

Swiss Marci - When you win over Polytrack, you must be respected next time out; showed the ability to rate just off the pace.

Long Shot - Hadavision

Race 3 - 5 furlongs, Purse $64,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

Mi Rey - Speedball has a chance to get clear early, who knows if he'll stop; Mullins barn is really cooking this meet.

Only One Way - Tepid chalk could get a perfect trip tracking the speed of Mi Rey; his turf sprint record is sparkling.

Long Shot - Areyoutalkintome

Race 4 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, 2-year-olds

Dixieland Easy - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to claiming; O'Neill adding blinkers on and main man Baze.

Black Mallou - Ran a clunker last time, which will only help his odds today; like being reunited with stable jock Nakatani.

Long Shot - Harlans Fortune

Race 5 - 6 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Mon Queen - Claimed by Becerra who has been sizzling hot off his recent claims; he signs up Polytrack specialist Nakatani.

Tootallnocall - Tepid chalk off a much improved effort in last; claimed two races ago by Mitchell, showed expected improvement.

Long Shot - Bench Wench

Race 6 - 5 furlongs (turf), Purse $59,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

Indian Ashton - Lost a head bob last time, now Ward switching to Talamo for the money shot; suspect he'll show more patience.

Spoils of Excess - Dead late closer will hope to see a contentious early pace; Spawr adding blinkers on for this turf sprint.

Long Shot - Pocosin's Game Boy

Race 7 - 7 furlongs, $100,000 Real Good Deal, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds

Idiot Proof - Speed has not been great over Polytrack, but this colt may bust the bias; broke the track record at Monmouth.

Unusual Suspect - Dead late closer figures to be closing fastest into a very hot pace; don't leave him out of your trifectas.

Long Shot - Gentle Romeo

Race 8 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $21,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

Lutyens - Facing by far the easiest test of his short career; third start off a 15-month hiatus could get his picture taken.

Eagle Ridge - Hasn't gotten a good trip in his last two races; Periban adding blinkers on, more speed to stay out of trouble.

Long Shot - Avvenimento

Best Bet - Livia La Vida Loca (race 2)

Del Mar Thursday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$38.00; Long Shots, 8/1/$14.20; Best Bet, 1/1/$5.40

Del Mar Totals - 317/77/$526.80; Long Shots, 162/23/$273.40; Best Bets, 19/9/$42.00