Today at Del Mar: Aug. 17, 2014

TODAY AT DEL MAR by Richard Eng

Post Time 2 p.m.

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

4 U S Citizen – It seems like passive riding by Rafael Bejarano is costing him some races; those who move decisively are rewarded.

5 Fighting On – Ron Ellis doesn’t claim many, but when he does, look out; he’s used Agapito Delgadillo with success in the past.

Long Shot – 1 Jimmy’s Date

Race 2 – 1 mile, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

4 Justa Splash – Bob Baffert cull turned in a strong effort last time; it was his first for a price tag, found his friends.

10 Burning – Fought gamely last time out for third; Rafael Bejarano replacing the talented bugboy Drayden Van Dyke.

Long Shot – 3 Cotton Valley

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $28,000, Starter allowance $12,500, 3-year-olds and up

2 Forest Elf – The ship and win program is a big success and those horses are winning more than their share; from Michael Stidham barn.

5 Diamond of Blue – Productive claim by the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer; has won 2-of-5 since claimed for $20K.

Long Shot – 4 Xuang Feng

Race 4 – 6 1/2 furlongs, $150,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Reneesgotzip – Is a perfect 3-for-3 wins at Del Mar; also a perfect 6-for-6 over synthetic surfaces, what happens to her next year?

1 Judy the Beauty – She deserves a frequent flyer mileage reward; also has an outstanding synthetic surface resume.

Long Shot – 6 Madame Cactus

Race 5 – 1 1/16th miles (turf), Purse $80,000, Allowance, 3-year-olds and up

1 Ethnic Dance – Gets class relief from three stakes for the open allowance; like the rail to save all the ground on the turf.

9 Mega Heat – 7-YO was exposed for $40K just five races ago and anyone could have claimed him; instead, a cash cow for Peter Eurton.

Long Shot – 5 Pure Loyalty

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

4 Zinvor – Would be a huge story if veteran Kent Desormeaux can hold on to win the riding title; what a comeback for this talented HOF.

8 Noble Hawk – Showed lots of improvement in second career start; if improves another step, could proved a nice upset tonight.

Long Shot – 5 Cardiac

Race 7 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $75,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies, 2-year-olds

8 Partyin – Did a pop and stop in career debut; faced the very talented Luminance, may have her own way today.

6 Penny N Mitzi – FTS from the Jeff Mullins barn; remember how he used to crush at Del Mar, have to get that feeling again.

Long Shot – 1 Fateer

Race 8 – 1 mile (turf), $150,000 Solana Beach Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

3 Kathleen Rose – Did everything but win when nipped at the wire by Parranda in the Royal Heroine; a mile on grass is her forte.

7 Warren’s Veneda – If some horse can reprise the role of Parranda, it might be this filly; she has a powerful late closing kick.

Long Shot – 5 Auaona

Race 9 – 1 mile, Purse $28,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up

5 Street Serenade – Did everything but win last time in a solid ship and win effort; will need to improve one step to get the the photo.

8 Crusher – Tepid chalk in another wide open affair; Kent Desormeaux has some shots today to build up his meet win total.

Long Shot – 6 Format V.

Race 10 – 6 furlongs, Purse $38,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

10 Mom’s Winner – Don’t mind the parking lot post the way the main track has played this summer; can clock the speed and tuck in some.

3 Ryderroo – Now that Tyler Baze has win 2,000 behind him, he can exhale again; this filly has been knocking on the door.

Long Shot – 1 Jennakins

Best Bet – 2 Forest Elf (race 3)

Del Mar Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 20/4/$28.80; Long Shots, 10/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals – 388/82/$582.20; Long Shots, 191/18/$172.20; Best Bets, 21/5/$30.40

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #5 Imagining (7/2) in race 10 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Stopchargingmaria won at Saratoga paying $4.00 to win, $3.20 to place and $2.70 to show. Stats – 127/77/$754.90; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick