HORSE RACING
TODAY AT del mar
By Richard Eng
Post Time 2 p.m.
Race 1 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $63,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds
1 Heart’s Memory – John Sadler has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; both look live so watch the tote board.
5 Lookin for Jonesy – FTS from the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer; key vote from Garrett Gomez, nice combo.
Long Shot – 2 Sam’s X S
Race 2 – 1 3/8th miles (turf, rail at 7 feet), Purse $65,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
3 Yodelen Dan – Logical chalk in a marathon that came up light; grinder race and this one is among his friends.
6 Isle of Prado – Claimed by Mike Mitchell, reason enough for a second look; he’ll need to improve a step or two.
Long Shot – 5 Bay Rush
Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $63,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up
1 Ultimate Decision – A ship-and-win bonus candidate; been working up a storm for Ron Ellis, the one to beat.
5 Utopian – Typical green race in last, slow early, fast late; for $400k he is meant to be a decent sort.
Long Shot – 3 Patriot’s Voyage
Race 4 – 1 mile, Purse $65,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
1 Star Nicholas – Seems comfortable in this $20-25k class level; a mile may be his best distance, ground-saving trip.
8 Holladay Road – Logical chalk based upon his back class; been away 15 months, but they come ready to run at Del Mar.
Long Shot – 4 Bluegrass Reward
Race 5 – 5 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up
4 Boomtown – Should get odds from this low-percentage tag team; horse has some ability at this bottom class level.
6 Naturaliste – Tepid chalk in an ugly race to run on a Sunday card; the only reason is the 10-horse field size.
Long Shot – 10 Auspicious Star
Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $65,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
2 Sahara Sky – Has run into two bombers in Sway Away and Smash in last two outs; his chance to boss these today.
6 Sterling Outlook – Speedy sort moves from turf to synthetics here; Joe Talamo is riding in absolute top form.
Long Shot – 10 Valkyrie Missile
Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $37,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
7 Kalk Bay – Claimed by Mike Mitchell off a sharp maiden claiming win; these are the kind he does very well with.
12 Cactus House – Claimed from Mike Mitchell by Doug O’Neill; could be Mitchell quinella of sorts.
Long Shot – 9 Miss Resplendere
Race 8 – 6 furlongs, $250,000 Bing Crosby, 3-year-olds and up
4 Euroears – Returns from a big race in Dubai; shouldn’t need a tune-up with Bob Baffert throwing quick works in him.
1 Smiling Tiger – If he repeats his last race they are all running for second; the key is he tends to bounce.
Long Shot – 5 Amazombie
Race 9 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 7 feet), Purse $63,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up
6 Irish Art – Is bred beautifully for grass racing; should relish the stretch out over the lawn and finish fast.
5 Ultimate Eagle – Speed has been doing fine on the turf; this one may be sent especially with the blinkers on.
Long Shot – 4 Plea Argument
Best Bet – 6 Irish Art (race 9)
Del Mar Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 19/1/$3.40; Long Shots, 9/2/$29.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0
Del Mar Totals – 150/34/$260.60; Long Shots, 71/7/$93.80; Best Bets, 9/1/$4.40
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – 2 Rule By Night (3/1) in race 10 at Monmouth Park. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Ben’s Cat won at Penn National paying $4.80 to win, $3.20 to place and $3.00 to show. Stats – 125/79/$653.40