Horse Racing: Today at Del Mar, August 1

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2:05 p.m.

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

2 Hawfinch – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this bottom rung; need not be much to add a modest notch on her belt.

4 Frequent Fame – Steve Knapp likes to win on the drop; class dropper may wake up under the talented bugboy Orozco.

Long Shot – 1 Katy’s Kitty

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $43,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Zuzu’s Petals – Joe Steiner doesn’t win many, but this is a very fine chance; can sit a trip and grind it out late.

5 Lets Get Frisky – Bounced back in a big way last time; the likely key was being reunited with Rafael Bejarano.

Long Shot – 1 Midnight Lady

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $38,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

5 Tookmebysurprise – Steve Miyadi is as clever as the come; NoCal trainer ships to SoCal for the money, not the fun.

1 Thunder Bonnet – FTS from Adam Kitchingman; morning line chalk, watch the tote board for more clues.

Long Shot – 7 Rousseau

Race 4 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 7 feet), Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

2 Sacred Ovation – Speed and the rail can work turf or synthetics at Del Mar; Edwin Maldonado takes over.

9 Yankee Rebel – Suspect will draw in off the also eligible list; lots of gaps in his training and racing though.

Long Shot – 6 Unusual Heatwave

Race 5 – 1 mile, Purse $38,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, 3-year-olds and up

8 Boss of Me – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; Gary Stevens makes his few mounts count.

2 Money Machine – Peter Miller barn has been really hot of late; maybe Corey Nakatani can ride onto his coattails.

Long Shot – 1 Scatman Blues

Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $80,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

3 Trelawny – Ship and win candidate been working well for Jeff Mullins; speed to lead or follow close up.

4 Doyouseemecoming – Well regarded favorite lost twice here at Del Mar last summer; this is racing with his friends.

Long Shot – 2 Fury Kapcori

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 7 feet), Purse $85,000, Optional claiming $100,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 Old Time Hockey – Gary Stevens and Tom Proctor, enough said; won the La Jolla at Del Mar last summer.

2 Irish Art – Tepid chalk in a wide open affair; ran well at Del Mar last year, Carla Gaines will start her suspension soon.

Long Shot – 4 Lucayan

Race 8 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 Candy Sweetheart – First time gelding for the razor sharp Vann Belvoir barn; the tote board will be doing some singing.

5 In a Wine Tizzy – Tepid chalk was claimed in last by Dan Hendricks; will hold price, or better, with Brice Blanc up.

Long Shot – 1 Warren’s Tyler S.

Best Bet – 2 Hawfinch (race 1)

Del Mar Wednesday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/3/$22.40; Long Shots, 7/1/$9.20; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals – 187/43/$313.40; Long Shots, 92/12/$132.80; Best Bets, 11/3/$11.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #5 Demon’s Deputy (30/1) in race 8 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Wednesday, Harrods Creek ran out at Saratoga. Stats – 125/80/$601.10; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick