Horse racing: Today at Del Mar, July 26

By Richard Eng

Post Time 4 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

8 With a Miracle – Huge class drop offers her a puncher’s chance; extra ground can only help this closer.

9 Coco de Carchy – Tepid chalk has a parking lot post in this elongated sprint; graduate facing winners for the first time.

Long Shot – 7 Flashy Dame

Race 2 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 7 feet), Purse $85,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up

5 Sirocco Strike – Gutsy win in last and now a new pilot in Julien Leparoux; he is riding better each day out here.

1 Distinctiv Passion – Speedball chalk does the rail to do his best running; simple tactics of go as fast and as far as he can.

Long Shot – 4 Basmati

Race 3 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, 2-year-olds

5 Salt Power – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much in this motley crew.

1 Short Sword – FTS from Mike Mitchell which is respect enough; watch the tote board for additional clues.

Long Shot – 8 Compulsive

Race 4 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Branding – The team of Gary Stevens and Tom Proctor has done some damage in SoCal; good spot for a late rally.

1 Miss Radiance – Logical chalk finally won a race for Mike Pupye in last; gets the rail and similar class for a repeat.

Long Shot – 2 Black Witch

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

8 Charissa – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; need not be much in this slowpoke group.

6 Sweet Millicent – FTS from the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer; you’ll have an edge on me in seeing the action of the FTS.

Long Shot – 3 Nikki Allyn

Race 6 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 7 feet), Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Darling Dodie – Richard Mandella had a 3-win day earlier this week; this filly faced some good ones last time out.

8 Lemon Hero – Hard trying filly will get a birds eye view from a parking lot post; Rafael Bejarano can carve out a trip.

Long Shot – 6 Madre Luna

Race 7 – 1 1/2 miles, $100,000 Cougar II Handicap, 3-year-olds and up

5 Kettle Corn – Is also entered in the San Diego this weekend; has a solid chance regardless the choice by John Sadler.

6 Sky Kingdom – Bob Baffert will be busy this week, especially with 3-YOs; second tier colt has earned his keep.

Long Shot – 3 Oilisblackgold

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $33,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Here’s to Rose – A couple Bob Baffert culls can play a big factor in here; John Sadler claimed this one two races ago.

3 Holiday N Newport – Mike Pender took this one from Baffert last time out; she is not protected, maybe a bad sign.

Long Shot – 2 Pearl de Vere

Best Bet – 3 Branding (race 4)

Del Mar Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/3/$14.80; Long Shots, 8/1/$8.00; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals – 119/32/$236.40; Long Shots, 58/7/$75.40; Best Bets, 7/3/$11.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #5 Doctor Chit (8/5) in race 1 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Willet ran second at Saratoga paying $3.00 to place and $2.60 to show. Stats – 122/79/$593.90; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick