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

French Souvenir – Reclaimed by Mitchell, one of the stronger trainer angles in racing; tactical speed to sit a perfect trip.

I’magambler – Claimed by the surprise hot trainer of the meet, Miller; if he maintains his form he’ll be right there again.

Race 2 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $36,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-year-olds and up

Will – Game winner in last, appears to have enough back class to duplicate the effort; Mitchell double is well within reach.

Careless Candidate – Claimed by Hess off a miserable effort last time out; he ran great two back and could rebound to that.

Long Shot – Lil Mitch

Race 3 – 1 1/8th miles (turf), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Mezuzah – Frankel filly just missed in last when flying late on the sod; third start off a 13-month hiatus could be her best.

South African Baby – Even run in last off a lengthy 5-month sabbatical; she figures to be a lot tighter for Spawr-Espinoza.

Long Shot – Kaitlyn’s Light

Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Claiming $50,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

Dearest Trickski – One of many claimed from trainer Autrey this meet; Sadler takes over and you can expect quick improvement.

Forest Miss – Has developed winning ways in both Polytrack starts; that cannot be dismissed if they take to this surface.

Long Shot – Romanced

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Maiden claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

Jinete – When the horses look this bad, it can be better to handicap the humans; could do worse than backing O’Neill-Talamo.

Western Comment – Gets in off the also eligible list, which automatically makes him very dangerous; blinkers on and Baze too.

Long Shot – The Emerald King

Race 6 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $68,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

Timias – Rough trip last time off a brief 2-month hiatus; hasn’t won since his U.S. debut, but is competitive with these.

Yario – Tepid chalk in a very wide open event; second in a division of the opening day Oceanside, facing easier today.

Long Shot – Artist’s Tale

Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse $53,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds

Cohen Thebarbarian – FTS from the Chatlos barn cost $500k as a 2-YO in training; his is a barn that flies under the radar.

Volos – Second time out for Koriner is a profitable bet angle; showed some early lick in debut, suspect will move forward.

Long Shot – Huss the King

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $59,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up

Robbos Courage – Exiting a couple turf tries for this Polytrack debut; like that he is cutting back in distance too.

Johnny Eves – Has won two of his last three starts, so he is definitely getting it; tactical speed to protect his position.

Long Shot – Global Heat

Race 9 – 1 1/16th miles (turf), Palomar Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Price Tag – She will run here, not Precious Kitten, for Frankel; hard to knock one of the best turf fillies in the country.

Black Mamba – Impressive U.S. debut for Sadler, not fast, but an explosive burst of late speed; will sit back for one run.

Long Shot – Kris’ Sis

Race 10 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $29,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

Russian Veto – Jones switching to bugboy Quinonez to get the weight off; his race two back is fast enough to upset these.

Tranquilo – Gets in off the also eligible list, I like that angle; second straight time starting from the parking lot.

Long Shot – Ironstar

Best Bet – Price Tag (race 9)

Del Mar Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$58.80; Long Shots, 8/2/$21.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals – 612/148/$1,074.20; Long Shots, 308/39/$493.60; Best Bets, 37/17/$73.80