Horse Racing: Today at Del Mar, November 20

Race 1 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $35,000, Claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds

3 Jedi Mind Trick – After a big win last time, has another chance to lead these wire to wire; found the class level to his liking.

6 Rocked Twice – Was overmatched in his initial turf try; is 2-for-2 wins over synthetics, won at Del Mar two race ago.

Long Shot – 4 Presiding Justice

Race 2 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

8 Private Marina – Dropping in class to the lowest level in his career; that alone gives him a big shot despite poor recent races.

6 Here’s Bella – Tepid chalk has run two seconds in a row in this bottom class rung; last out was 3-lengths clear of the show horse.

Long Shot – 2 Alice Roadtrain

Race 3 – 1 mile, Purse $33,000, Maiden claiming $62,500, Fillies, 2-year-olds

4 Golds Venice – Speedball drops in class again in search of victory; will provide the target turning for home.

2 Lookin for Money – Her better races have been on turf; Leandro Mora must think the transfer to synthetics will be right up her alley.

Long Shot – 7 Swiss Jet

Race 4 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Hugh Knew – Speedball cutting way back in distance; that’s an angle I’ve used with lots of success in the past.

7 Kohala – Tepid chalk in another wide open affair; won career debut, now facing winners for the first time, always a big class rise.

Long Shot -5 Underhill Drive

Race 5 – 1 mile, Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds

3 Pioneerof the West – Was grinding to the finish in last to just miss; have every reason to think he’ll keep improving for Mark Casse.

1 Cyrus Alexander – I like the rail post at a mile on dirt or turf; the key is the short run to the first turn and saving all the ground.

Long Shot – 5 Milton

Race 6 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $30,000, Starter allowance $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

1 Denotation – Sharp win for a $40K price tag in last got her eligible for this condition; repeat effort would likely win here.

3 Q’Viva – Was tardy at the start which made her task nearly impossible; reunited with Rafael Bejarano who will get going sooner.

Long Shot – 8 Comin’offthebench

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 24 feet), Purse $65,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 3-year-olds and up

5 Bettys Bambino – Back to back impressive wins down the hill at Santa Anita; stretches back out to a 2-turn mile.

7 Trend – Gets class relief from stakes for this condition allowance; big rider switch to Elvis Trujillo for the money shot.

Long Shot – 6 Mega Heat

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

7 Gold Journey – Really turned in an improved effort last time out; chance for an upset if she can repeat the good race.

4 Cape’s Rockette – Claimed by Leandro Mora off a solid second in career debut; mildly surprised that she is not protected tonight.

Long Shot – 3 Diamond Cut

Best Bet – 3 Jedi Mind Trick (race 1)

Del Mar Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 17/5/$26.60; Long Shots, 9/1/$12.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals – 119/29/$185.40; Long Shots, 59/7/$73.00; Best Bets, 7/1/$5.00

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #6 Darling Bridezilla (6/1) in race 3 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Gook Luck Gus ran out Aqueduct. Stats – 178/105/$953.90; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick