Horse Racing, Del Mar, July 20

TODAY AT DEL MAR

Post Time 4 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $71,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Dancingtothestars – Sharp improvement with every start; won her MSW graduation as if there’s more where that came from.

5 Roar Baby Roar – Ran twice at Del Mar last summer and ran well both times; has good speed so expect Rafael Bejarano to put her into the race.

Long Shot – 6 Promiscuoussuances

Race 2 – 5 furlongs (turf), Purse $71,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

1 A Toe by Three – Third start off a 8-month hiatus could be his best; speed to lead from the rail under Corey Nakatani.

3 Red Defense – Been claimed in 3 of his last 5 races; has good closing power which has been a winning tactic in turf sprints.

Long Shot – 7 A Toast to You

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $45,000, Claiming $32,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

7 D’princess – Sliding down the maiden claiming ladder to this career low class; she could be lone speed, the best bet in horse racing.

6 Blushing Martha – Dead late closer is a ship and win filly; sent to Doug O’Neill who put her thru her final paces.

Long Shot – 4 Heleonor Rugby

Race 4 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $70,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

9 Marlenadarlena – Sprinter stretching out figures to go right to the front; turf speed going long has been a recipe for success.

2 Zanbo – Second best twice in a row, gets a new pilot in Corey Nakatani; figures to save ground inside and come grinding late.

Long Shot – 3 Miss Well Molded

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $8,000, 3-year-olds and up

8 My Man Sumo – This race is loaded with early speed; Aaron Gryder can settle mid-pack and weave thru the tiring pacesetters.

7 Itssultryinthecape – One of the speedballs, but this one is dropping well down in class; Chantal Sutherland rides the speed well.

Long Shot – 5 Deputiformer

Race 6 – 1 1/16th miles (turf), Purse $71,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 3-year-olds

7 Ransom Canyon – I know dead late closers have done poorly so far in turf routes; still the pace should be quick in here.

9 Seventh Avenue – Logical chalk has tactical speed to sit a perfect trip; big rider switch to Rafael Bejarano for the money shot.

Long Shot – 3 Distort This

Race 7 – 5 1/2 furlongs, $100,000 CTBA, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

4 Cotton’s Point – How many times have you seen a maiden win a baby stakes; believe me there are no killers in this group.

7 Tribal Peace – Gritty debut win over my top choice in last; suspect she will be grossly overbet coming off the photo finish win.

Long Shot – 2 Tilde

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

2 Hammer the Bay – Sliding down the maiden claiming ladder to this career low class; his race two back is fast enough to crush these.

1 Pork Chop – Huge class drop from $50K to $20K tonight; has no speed so Joe Talamo will have to weave thru traffic late.

Long Shot – 10 Johan

Best Bet – 2 Hammer the Bay (race 8)

Del Mar Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/3/$25.80; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals – 34/5/$37.40; Long Shots, 18/1/$8.80; Best Bets, 2/0/$0

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #7 Jackson Bend (7/5) in race 8 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Joey the Scholar won at Louisiana Downs paying $7.00 to win, $5.00 to place and $3.20 to show. Stats – 109/76/$639.90; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick