Horse Racing: Today at Del Mar, July 18

Race 1 – 5 furlongs, Purse $38,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Fillies, 2-year-olds

2 Yes She’s a Dancer – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; her race two back is the one she must repeat.

3 Champion Risk – Tepid morning line favorite in an ugly looking race; blinkers’ on and first time for a price tag may both help.

Long Shot – 7 Vow Me Over

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

6 Gospel Music – Ran a career topper first off the claim by Peter Miller; repeat race would crush this much softer field.

4 Forest Romance – Was well bet in debut and claimed by John Sadler; Sadler does not claim many, so he has some faith in this one.

Long Shot – 1 Macho Sox

Race 3 – 1 1/16th miles (turf), Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $20,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

4 Boozer – Has lots of early speed to lead or sit close to the pace; key question will be his stretching out in distance.

5 Benba – Has run three good races since claimed by A. C. Avila; Avila won the opener yesterday and may be set for a solid meet.

Long Shot – 8 Pressure Time

Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

4 Distinct Asset – Sliding down the maiden claiming ladder to this career low class; from the hot Philip D’Amato barn to boot.

5 Superboot – Returns to the low class level that Peter Miller claimed him at; he’s improved, but not enough to get his diploma.

Long Shot – 8 Pioneer Charlie

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 One Magical Girl – Returns from a vacation for the Richard Baltas barn; she is in a no claim spot with a strong synthetic resume.

3 Goldilocks Planet – Morning line favorite is 2-for-3 wins over synthetic surfaces; one of those wins was last year at Del Mar.

Long Shot – 4 Julio’s Gold

Race 6 – 5 furlongs (turf), Purse $85,000, Optional claiming 480,000, 3-year-olds and up

8 Rosengold – Bullet fast, I’m hoping he becomes the speed of the speed; the turf rail remains at zero position from opening day.

1 Pure Tactics – Dead late closer will save all the ground inside; should see plenty of early pace, will need some racing luck.

Long Shot – 5 Caracortado

Race 7 – 5 1/2 furlongs, $100,000 CTBA, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

3 Singing Kitty – Key for me is she trained over Golden Gate Tapeta surface before winning debut in Arcadia; the experience is an edge.

7 Lost Bus – Was super impressive in debut, but has lacked a steady workout pattern since; figures to get way overbet regardless.

Long Shot – 1 Really a Princess

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles (turf), Purse $75,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

3 Unusually Green – I like playing Joe Talamo in the last race of the day; Mike Pupye colt has shown some promise in 3 turf starts.

4 Smart Journey – Speedy sort has the right rider to fire from the gate fast in Tyler Baze; will try to lead every step of the way.

Long Shot – 12 Missing Groom

Best Bet – 6 Gospel Music (race 2)

Del Mar Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 20/3/$22.40; Long Shots, 10/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Los Alamitos Final Totals – 130/29/$167.20; Long Shots, 64/14/$173.20; Best Bets, 8/2/$7.20

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #5 Nubin Ridge (10/1) in race 7 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, General Ike won at Delaware Park paying $3.60 to win, $3.00 to place and $2.10 to show. Stats – 108/67/$636.60; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick