Horse racing: Today at Del Mar, July 18

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2:05 p.m.

Race 1 – 5 furlongs (turf), Purse $80,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

7 Tasty Treat – Came back running in last off a 6-month hiatus; key for me is she won her last summer for Mike Pender.

5 Hidinginplainsight – Chalk has a favorable pace scenario; there is a lot of early speed, Mike Smith will sit a trip.

Long Shot – 1 Bares Tripper

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $8,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

1 She’s All Yours – Taking a huge class drop to face easier; key vote for me is from Rafael Bejarano for Bill Morey.

5 Frequent Fame – Peter Miller won with a ship and win horse in the opener; let’s see if Garrett Gomez shows up today.

Long Shot – 4 Mary Contrary

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

11 Little Unusual – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much in a slowpoke bunch.

4 Real Bright Boots – Always intrigued when a big name jockey rides for a small barn; Rafael Bejarano lands here.

Long Shot – 5 Frannie’sspirittoo

Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $43,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

8 Addendum – Broke her maiden at Del Mar; you know that weighs on Vladimir Cerin in planning her schedule.

6 Rowdy Gal – Favorite from John Sadler barn; he came out firing on opening day winning second division of the Oceanside.

Long Shot – 4 J and S Express

Race 5 – 5 furlongs (turf), Purse $80,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Belle de Lune – Gary Stevens and Tom Proctor have a solid relationship; he’ll ride most of his live SoCal horses.

2 Zia Zia Zia – Speedball figures to go as fast and as far as she can; Julien Leparoux usually prefers to sit a trip.

Long Shot – 1 Conkate

Race 6 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $38,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

1 Foogard – Huge rider switch to Rafael Bejarano for the money shot; Bob Hess taking the blinkers off.

4 Chatter Up – FTS from the white hot Mike Pupye barn; watch the tote board for additional clues.

Long Shot – 9 Exponentially

Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse $85,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Reneesgotzip – This field is easily stakes quality; she has the most controlling speed and Peter Miller is on a mission.

1 Executiveprivilege – Been away 7 months for Bob Baffert; this clearly is a test drive to get ready for much bigger fish.

Long Shot – 6 Gypsy Robin

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles (turf), Purse $43,000, Claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds and up

8 Tamarack Smarty – Leap of faith that his strong Del Mar turf resume will be improved; dead late closer will come flying late.

1 Beachcoming – Ship and win starter for Cody Autrey; he’s already had more success this year than he did last year.

Long Shot – 5 Winsome Charm

Best Bet – 6 Belle de Lune (race 5)

Del Mar Wednesday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/3/$28.80; Long Shots, 9/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Hollywood Park Final Totals – 830/211/$1,381.40; Long Shots, 403/60/$663.80; Best Bets, 48/18/$72.20

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #4 Sky Above (4/1) in race 2 at Presque Isle Downs. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Wednesday, Political Miss ran out at Delaware Park. Stats – 115/73/$551.70; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick