Today at Del Mar, Aug. 9

TODAY AT del mar

By Richard Eng

Post Time 4 p.m.

Race 1 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 7 feet), Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $25,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

5 Free Time – Speedball will like the turf rail out 7 feet; should get value for low percentage connections.

8 Star Rocker – Facing winners for the first time; hot combo of Doug O’Neill and Mario Gutierrez.

Long Shot – 3 Great Friends Rule

Race 2 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $33,000, Claiming $16,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

6 Out of Thin Air – Nothing wrong with Alex Bisono on a live mount; huge class drop may be enough.

1 Katy’s Star – Good wake up effort in last in Del Mar debut; sliding down the claiming ladder again.

Long Shot – 2 Giannonatti

Race 3 – 6 furlongs, Purse $33,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, 2-year-olds

9 Behind the Bossman – Doug O’Neill barn is hot and teams up with the meets leading rider Rafael Bejarano.

6 Silent Ruler – Is bred to be quick for Keith Desormeaux; suspect will be a big price, but live.

Long Shot – 5 Brighton Star

Race 4 – 1 1/8th miles (turf, rail at 7 feet), Purse $40,000, Starter allowance $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

9 Matto Mondo – Dallas Keen seemingly hasn’t won in SoCal in years; key vote from Rafael Bejarano.

3 Olympic Blue – Agapito Delgadillo is an underrated rider; like he’s riding for Jerry Hollendorfer.

Long Shot – 10 Bipartisan

Race 5 – 6 furlongs, Purse $33,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 Nextdoorneighbor – Ron Ellis doesn’t claim many; but when he does, he is usually quite deadly.

2 McKenzies Way – Sliding down the claiming ladder to this low level; has lots of back class.

Long Shot – 4 Plenny of Henny

Race 6 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

11 Harlan’s Trick – Almost overcame a poor start to win in last; finally finds her friends here.

3 Rockin Girl – FTS from Tim Yakteen; Lasix, Martin Garcia and bullet works, watch the tote board.

Long Shot – 8 Jeanne Marini

Race 7 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 7 feet), $90,000 Daisycutter Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Tasty Treat – Returned off a 6 month hiatus with two sharp turf sprints; climbs the class ladder.

3 Kinz Funky Monkey – Big upset winner of the Manhattan Beach last out; has speed to lead on turf.

Long Shot – 2 Belle de Lune

Race 8 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $25,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Kevin’s Kool Kat – Mike Mitchell charge returns off a 8-month hiatus; been working well for return.

7 Sophie’s Secret – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; 10 pound bugboy rolls.

Long Shot – 1 Beautiful Spirit

Best Bet – 3 Nextdoorneighbor (race 5)

Del Mar Thursday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 16/4/$34.60; Long Shots, 7/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals – 285/63/$467.60; Long Shots, 140/18/$227.80; Best Bets, 17/4/$17.80

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #3 Street Secret (4/1) in race 9 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Thursday, Palace Dreams ran third at Saratoga paying $2.40 to show. Stats – 131/84/$625.10; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick