Horse Racing: Today at Del Mar, July 27

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2:05 p.m.

Race 1 – 1 mile, Purse $43,000, Claiming $25,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

1 Inner Groove – Claimed by Bob Hess off a good second in Inglewood; key to claim, mare is 2-for-2 wins at Del Mar.

5 Lilly’s Perfect – Claimed by Doug O’Neill off a sharp win at Hollywood; confidence grows with Rafael Bejarano up.

Long Shot – 7 Romantic Wish

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

4 American Pie – Bob Baffert baby was a beaten favorite in debut; should improve in second start, be tough to handle.

2 Forever Juanito – Typical green debut race, slow early, fast late; switches from grass to synthetics today.

Long Shot – 3 Little Shack

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

10 U R My Candy Girl – Claimed by Bill Morey who is deadly when legs up Rafael Bejarano; improved early speed of late.

9 Scary Fast – Was a beaten favorite for Carla Gaines in last; second start off a 15-month hiatus.

Long Shot – 4 Glad’s Gals

Race 4 – 7 furlongs, $200,000 Fleet Treat, Cal-bred, Fillies, 3-year-olds

6 Doinghardtimeagain – After a razor sharp win in the Hollywood Oaks, she faces Cal-breds tonight; queen of the Cal-breds.

4 Sweet Martini – Has lost to the favorite twice in her two career losses; speed to lead but can she hold off the chalk?

Long Shot – 7 Qiaona

Race 5 – 1 mile, Purse $24,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

5 Twitch – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this new career low; race 5 is key on the card, part of pick 5 and pick 6.

9 Bas – Facing winners for the first time after graduation day; showed good speed on the stretch out and cruised to victory.

Long Shot – 3 Patienceisavirtue

Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $75,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

8 Magic Daddy – FTS from Bob Baffert has been working fast, what a shock; watch the tote board for the ultimate vote.

2 Quality Plan – Is the other half of an uncoupled entry from Bob Baffert; capable of turning in a big effort too.

Long Shot – 1 Sweet Sunshine

Race 7 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 7 feet), Purse $77,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up

1 Motown Men – Mike Mitchell continues to persevere in a courageous manner; he takes over the training of this gelding.

2 Tom’s Tribute – Tepid chalk in a wide open affair; just graduated, now facing winners for the first time.

Long Shot – 7 Swift Eagle

Race 8 – 1 1/16th miles, $200,000 San Diego Handicap, 3-year-olds and up

3 Paynter – What a completion to a fine comeback story should he win today; his last win was faster than any race in his life.

1 Kettle Corn – John Sadler went first time with blinkers on in last; the 6-YO responded with the best race of his career.

Long Shot – 6 Clubhouse Ride

Race 9 – 6 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

1 South Floyd – Speedball draws the rail where he can do his best work; will play catch me if you can with these.

9 Seven Bridges – Class drop is racing first time for a price tag; like the cut back in distance too.

Long Shot – 8 Corsa Di Cavalli

Race 10 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 7 feet), Purse $75,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-yer-olds and up

6 Winning Rhythm – With Mike Smith back east, Rafael Bejarano takes over; will sit mid-pack and coming firing late.

9 Tappingintherain – Sprinter stretching out figures to be the early speed; has magnificent pedigree to handle the grass.

Long Shot – 5 Charm Catcher

Best Bet – 6 Doinghardtimeagain (race 4)

Del Mar Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/2/$9.40; Long Shots, 8/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals – 134/34/$245.80; Long Shots, 66/7/$75.40; Best Bets, 8/3/$11.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #2 Parnelli (5/1) in race 4 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Doctor Chit was scratched at Saratoga. Stats – 122/79/$593.90; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick