Horse racing: Today at Del Mar, July 20

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2:05 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $43,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 Congregationalist – Tepid chalk exploded with a big win last time; the key is whether he repeats or regresses.

5 Orangeyouacutie – Sharp claim by Vann Belvoir off a rare FTS win for Tim Yakteen; must have been playing I Spy in stables.

Long Shot – 7 Wise Boss

Race 2 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $53,000, Claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

7 Aerial Artist – Somehow Saul Arias was able to take this horse off the pace in route; chance to upset again at a square price.

4 Magic Channel – Import making his U.S. debut for Mike Mitchell; watch the tote board for clues.

Long Shot – 6 Tricky Shane

Race 3 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $28,000, Claiming $12,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

5 Pure Blush – Peter Miller wants to win races badly at Del Mar; he drops this one thru the floor in search of victory.

4 Star Vesta – Been away 9-month so will be fresh; always respect the team of Rafael Bejarano and Jerry Hollendorfer.

Long Shot – 6 Bonita Star

Race 4 – 1 mile, Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

3 East Sky – Mike Mitchell claimed this horse four races ago; he has shown steady improvement from race to race.

7 Soi Phet – Where did that last win come from, first off the claim by Leonard Powell; repeat race would beat these too.

Long Shot – 2 Slammer Time

Race 5 – 1 1/16th miles, $90,000 Osunitas, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 I Dazzle – Chance to get a perfect ground saving trip; she has the talent, just needs a trip under Victor Espinoza.

5 Unusual Hottie – Logical chalk in a wide open stakes; this could clearly be a blanket finish at the wire.

Long Shot – 6 Top Kisser

Race 6 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $75,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds

3 Guns Loaded – You’ll have a big edge over me in seeing the tote board activity; rooting for Cody Autrey, he is persistent.

7 Shakahari – Morning line favorite, but you’ll know way before me; tough race in second leg of the pick 6.

Long Shot – 2 Southern Freedom

Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Hail Mary – Mike Mitchell has another live one today; Julien Leparoux likes to take them back, so don’t be surprised.

3 Heat Trap – She is 2-for-2 for Carla Gaines; Victor Espinoza quietly is riding very well and getting more chances.

Long Shot – 10 Ostourah

Race 8 – 1 1/8th miles (turf), $300,000 Eddie Read Handicap, 3-year-olds and up

4 Jeranimo – A 5-YO Jeranimo would probably crush this group; he’s slowed a step or two, but is capable on his best days.

3 Fed Biz – Not often can you get Bob Baffert at 6/1 in a stakes; this is a poor grade 1 field, this colt has a big shot.

Long Shot – 1 Barocci

Race 9 -1 mile, Purse $38,000, Claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

1 Joe Carl – Claimed by Doug O’Neill, who is off to a solid start; the rail on the main track has been good so far.

2 Rock This Way – Claimed by Bob Hess off a sharp win over lesser; hasn’t paired wins in a long time, but he still fits.

Long Shot – 3 Would You

Race 10 – 7 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

5 Patriotic Lion – An 0-for-25 horse is usually the first horse you toss; this field is so slow, it may finally be his time.

1 Dark Timbers – The rail is good and this horse has run a few decent races; you’ll want to be spread in the pick 4 and 6.

Long Shot – 7 Somewhere With You

Best Bet – 5 Pure Blush (race 3)

Del Mar Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/5/$35.80; Long Shots, 7/2/$17.00; Best Bet, 1/1/$2.80

Del Mar Totals – 49/14/$106.60; Long Shots, 24/3/$24.00; Best Bets, 3/2/$8.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #1 My Happy Face (3/1) in race 10 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, I’ll Call ran second at Saratoga paying $6.10 to place and $3.90 to show. Stats – 115/75/$570.90; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick