Today at Del Mar, Aug. 11

TODAY AT DEL MAr

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2:05 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $20,000, Claiming $8,000, 3-year-olds and up

6 So Far So Fast – The ship and win horses are doing well this meet; figures to be very quick from the gate.

3 Faster Action – Rafael Bejarano and Bill Morey have had a hot meet together; big class drop to the bottom rung.

Long Shot – 5 Always the Same

Race 2 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $62,000, Claiming $50,000, 3-year-olds

7 Avare – Speedball did everything but win last time out; will be aided by the turf rail out 14 feet tonight.

2 Horizon Sky – Julien Leparoux has picked up the knack of the circuit in recent weeks; can sit and fire from arrears.

Long Shot – 1 Magic Channel

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

10 Spotted Owl – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this bottom rung; Eric Kruljac adding blinkers on.

3 Market Portfolio – FTS from the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer; need not be much horse to handle these.

Long Shot – 2 Chicago Hero

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $75,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Fanticola – Mike Mitchell filly has run two good seconds in a row; there was a year hiatus between starts.

10 Tayrona – Garrett Gomez returned with a nice winner on Saturday; suspect he’s a hungry rider right now.

Long Shot – 4 Not My Tap

Race 5 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 3-year-olds

8 Cacau – Broke his MSW in a fast turf sprint; stretching out in distance, figures to be forwardly placed.

2 Little Jerry – Ran a cropper in last while well bet to 3/1; his race two back is faster enough to upset.

Long Shot – 10 This One’s For Mel

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

6 Southern Freedom – Typical green debut, show early, fast late; rallied fast on the wide out.

2 American Pride – Rare Bob Baffert hot shot to not graduate after two starts; beaten chalk both times.

Long Shot – 7 Cautious Giant

Race 7 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $53,000, Claiming $40,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

9 Lady Rosamond – Huge class relief for this Bob Baffert cull; he only wants graded stakes caliber horses.

3 Daddy’s Song – Like the cut back in distance for this; speedball should be able to finish better today.

Long Shot – 11 Lady Katfish

Race 8 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 14 feet), $250,000 John C. Mabee, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 Tiz Flirtatious – Lost to the grade 1 filly Marketing Mix last time out; she may be best of the west.

4 Customer Base – Upset winner of last, gets another chance in top flight company; will be flying fast late.

Long Shot – 3 Lady of Shamrock

Race 9 -1 1/16th miles, Purse $43,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

7 Would You – Interesting price play first off the claim by Dean Pederson; incredibly difficult finale.

12 Mr. Make Believe – Tiny edge in the most difficult race on the card; tactical speed to sit a trip.

Long Shot – 6 Mr. Candy Bar

Best Bet – 6 Southern Freedom (race 6)

Del Mar Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 19/6/$39.60; Long Shots, 9/1/$10.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals – 319/74/$543.00; Long Shots, 156/20/$248.00; Best Bets, 19/4/$17.80

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #5 Fiftyshadesofgold (7/5) in race 9 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Where’s Danny won at Saratoga paying $6.60 to win, $3.60 to place and $2.50 to show. Stats – 133/86/$643.60; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick