HORSE RACING

TODAY AT del mar

By Richard Eng

Post Time 4 p.m.

Race 1 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

1 Brave Journey – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; flattered when Butterfly Beach won.

7 Kisses for Kate – Tepid chalk tries blinkers on today; speed was big on Thursday, watch the early races closely.

Long Shot – 2 Running Isabella

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

1 Solar Rocket – Speedball returns from an 8-month hiatus; Bob Baffert is winning races all over the country.

5 Armenian Star – Pick is for forgiving handicappers; have to overlook a 55-length loss, his race two back was fine.

Long Shot – 4 Mega Heat

Race 3 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $63,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

5 Sun’s Out – Ran a cropper when bet to favortism in last; adds blinkers on, has the pedigree to adore the grass.

3 Checkmark – Either he’s unlucky or an example of the herd mentality; tries blinkers on to try and pass one more horse.

Long Shot – 8 Starspangled Heat

Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $42,000, Claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

7 Deluxe Bus – Won four straight for Mike Mitchell, now claimed by Gary Sherluck; need only maintain his form, not improve.

5 Tart N Smart – Huge class drop gives him a big chance; third start off a 10-month hiatus, does have tactical speed.

Long Shot – 6 Ribat

Race 5 – 1 mile, Purse $20,000, Claiming $8,000, 3-year-olds and up

9 Advice – Gus Headley is 1-for-1 wins at the meet; these are his new-found friends at this bottom class level.

6 Lease of Life – Proven player at this bottom class level; suspect Joel Rosario will sit in arrears for one brush.

Long Shot – 8 Just Heat

Race 6 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $65,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

8 Coalbanks Landing – Has moved way up since joining the Bobby Troeger barn; Tyler Baze can lead or follow close up.

My Untamed Heart – Vann Belvoir has been live this meet with Emerald Downs shippers; another ship-and-win candidate.

Long Shot – 2 Hot Affair

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs, $150,000 Sorrento, Fillies, 2-year-olds

1 Killer Graces – Should be fine with longer distances as he is by Congaree; rail-skimming ride, will rally fast late.

6 Mighty Caroline – Did everything but win last time to Killer Graces; she was well clear of the third-place finisher.

Long Shot – 8 Heleonor Rugby

Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

5 Imperial Suite – Outran her 27/1 odds with a big finish; Marty Jones babies improve with racing, won’t see those odds here.

10 Make Mine Remy – Logical chalk runs at the lowest class of her life; claimed by Mike Pupye, expect improvement.

Long Shot – 11 Promiscuoussuances

Best Bet – 5 Sun’s Out (race 3)

Del Mar Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/3/$14.80; Long Shots, 8/4/$57.00; Best Bet, 1/1/$4.80

Del Mar Totals – 200/48/$356.80; Long Shots, 95/11/$150.80; Best Bets, 12/3/$17.00

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – 9 Dark Cove (5/1) in race 7 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday,Oatman won at Presque Isle Downs paying $3.40 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.20 to show. Stats – 128/81/$670.90