HORSE RACING
TODAY AT DEL MAR
By Richard Eng
Post Time 2 p.m.
Race 1 - 1 mile (turf), $85,000 Viejas Casino Handicap, Fillies, 3-year-olds
Honored Gold - She has sparkled in her last two wins for Mitchell, now gets a much bigger assignment; will be a square price.
Nootka Island - Uncoupled stablemate of Honored Gold, note that Baze opted to ride this filly; that may make you to like her.
Long Shot - La Cirque
Race 2 - 6 furlongs, Purse $68,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds
Grace Anatomy - No shame losing to Baffert filly who won a Spa stakes next out; O'Neill babies typically improve with racing.
B R's Girl - The connections have always thought highly of this filly, it's time now to produce; she needs to develop a style.
Long Shot - Masterful Miss
Race 3 - 7 furlongs, $300,000 Pat O'Brien Handicap, 3-year-olds and up
Surf Cat - Headley has won two straight races since I wrote his barn was ice cold; like a 2-turn horse in an elongated sprint.
Greg's Gold - Just missed in a huge effort in the Bing Crosby; only fear is the race was too big and he might regress today.
Long Shot - Bordonaro
Race 4 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $71,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Mezuzah - Ran like she needed her last start, her first in 13-months; was favored and lost, may be a lot better price here.
Uzume - Shirreffs mare finally showed some run last time as a 6-YO maiden; that alone will scare off most of the wiseguys.
Long Shot - Island Hop
Race 5 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $81,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
D Pirates Marker - Starts from a parking lot post; is exiting an elongated sprint so may show more speed to get a position.
Sure Speed - She is a consistent sort who doesn't mind a slugfest in the stretch; should be able to save some ground inside.
Long Shot - R Vicarious Girl
Race 6 - 6 furlongs, Purse $68,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
Forest Echoes - FTS from Darley is bred thru the gills to be a runner; suspect Harty won't us this race for a test drive.
Overextended - Logical chalk off a very good second race of his career; facing 8 FTS so you know that anything can happen.
Long Shot - Outlaw James
Race 7 - 1 mile, $400,000 Del Mar Mile Handicap, 3-year-olds and up
Out of Control - No shame losing a close finish to After Market in the Eddie Read; if he runs back to that race, he'll win.
Crossing The Line - She has looked super in both her U.S. victories; Sadler charge gets tested for class in a tough heat.
Long Shot - Isipingo
Race 8 - 1 1/4 miles, $1-Million Pacific Classic, 3-year-olds and up
Tiago - Won the Swaps in convincing fashion, now drops 5-pounds for this start; I think a good 3-YO can upset his elders.
Sun Boat - Mitchell has done wonders with this ex-claimer; he's a gelding so hopefully we'll see him run for a long time.
Long Shot - Awesome Gem
Race 9 - 6 furlongs, Purse $83,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 4-year-olds and up
Oceanus - In a sprint jam packed with early speed, this guy could be rolling fast late; turning back from a mile for this.
Wind Water - Speedball ran huge last time before succombing late to Declan's Moon; suspect he can be the speed of the speed.
Long Shot - Family Guy
Race 10 - 1 1/8th miles (turf), Purse $59,000, Claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up
Minister Blair - Could see a perfect trip as there is speed for him to sit just off of; saves all the ground for Nakatani.
Mananan McLir - Dead late closer was part of a blanket finish last time; takes a small, but significant, class drop today.
Long Shot - Totally Platinum
Best Bet - Mezuzah (race 4)
Del Mar Saturday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/4/$23.40; Long Shots, 9/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Del Mar Totals - 450/106/$759.60; Long Shots, 228/30/$398.60; Best Bets, 27/13/$56.60
