HORSE RACING

By Richard Eng

Post Time 4 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $63,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

4 Surplus – John Sadler has an uncoupled entry; both have a big chance to win, favor the one with the higher odds.

5 Clear – This is the other John Sadler colt; been working well and gets top rider Joel Rosario, in dead stroke now.

Long Shot – Warren’s Baby Walk

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds

6 Chinese Praise – Huge class drop from the Peter Miller barn; droppers at Del Mar are meant to win their race.

2 Devour – Claimed by Mike Mitchell, reason enough to respect his chances; underrated Martin Pedroza gets the call.

Long Shot -3 Giuseppe G

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $63,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 La Sombre – Did everything but win in last losing as the 4/5 chalk; this is a much slower group she’s facing today.

5 Clean Break – Marty Jones tends to give his babies a test-drive race; should move forward in start number two.

Long Shot – 8 Dot’s Mark

Race 4 – 1 mile, Purse $37,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds

3 Quite an Honour – Claimed by Steve Knapp and spotted smartly to win; like that Joel Rosario opted to remain loyal.

2 Welcome Home Ryan – Like horses that won their last while running a slower Beyer; should have some room to improve.

Long Shot – 4 Iwannaiwannaiwanna

Race 5 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

2 Backwoods Belle – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; Mike Mitchell for Steve Myadi.

6 Jessakar – Tepid chalk in an ugly looking heat; you’ll have an edge over me in seeing the tote board action.

Long Shot – 4 Pumpkin Pie

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $65,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

1a Queenie Marini – Solid Bob Baffert entry, both have a shot to win; they have contrasting styles which is a positive.

9 Shezabigbroad – Ran a cropper in the Melair after a sharp debut win; Mike Pupye barn is hot so expect better.

Long Shot – 2 U Turn Me Crazy

Race 7 – 5 furlongs (turf), $85,000 Daisycutter Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

1 Unzip Me – Speedball ran like a short horse in last; set a moderate pace and got run down, tighter tonight.

4 Broken Dreams – Mare upset Unzip Me, but that will be hard to repeat; consistent sort runs hard every time out.

Long Shot – 3 Givine

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, 2-year-olds

9 Fear the Beard – Among many taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; chased Creative Cause.

3 Forest Souvenir – Showed high cheese in debut and stopped; Jeff Mullins takes the blinkers on, keeps Joel Rosario on.

Long Shot – 11 Danger Ranger

Best Bet – 2 La Sombre (race 3)

Del Mar Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/7/$45.80; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$3.40

Del Mar Totals – 282/67/$478.00; Long Shots, 138/16/$213.80; Best Bets, 16/4/$20.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – 2 Cave’s Valley (7/2) in race 1 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Henny’s Hurrican ran third at Saratoga. Stats – 132/84/$675.50