Today at Del Mar: July 19, 2014

TODAY AT DEL MAR by Richard Eng

Post Time 2 p.m.

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

2 Iron Fist – He cost $1.5-million at Keeneland; Tapit has been one remarkable stallion, growing into a Northern Dancer type of resume.

3 Lord Nelson – Bob Baffert figures to unleash a never ending stream of costly, talented 2-YOs at Del Mar; some will win, some will lose.

Long Shot – 7 Calculator

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $48,000, Claiming $32,000, Fillies, 3-year-olds

4 Two Step Flor – A ship and win candidate who has shown ability on turf and synthetics; in good hands with Kent Desormeaux and Bob Hess.

1 More Stormyweather – Bill Spawr figures to win his share at this seaside meet; tactical speed from the rail, should get a good trip.

Long Shot – 6 Adellusion

Race 3 – 1 1/16th miles (turf), Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 3-year-olds

3 Toowindytohaulrox – Mike Smith is becoming more of the go to rider to win races; with Gary Stevens out, he’ll get even more business.

4 Awesome Return – Tepid chalk in another wide open race; the first week of Del Mar is full of big fields and inscrutible races.

Long Shot – 6 Sheila’s Footsteps

Race 4 – 6 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

2 Mavericks Gun – Doug O’Neill drops him in class to the level he was claimed; last was an even try versus tougher, these are his friends.

4 U S Citizen – This is the lowest class he has ever raced at; when horses drop at Del Mar, it’s to win, not to unload the stable.

Long Shot – 10 Redistribute

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

9 Bollywood – Bob Baffert will save his best 2-YOs for Del Mar; not only do they win, but they impress even more clients to sign on.

6 Remo – In a race full of FTS, your edge will be to see the tote board action; this colt has been working well enough to run good.

Long Shot – 10 American Sailor

Race 6 – 1 1/16th miles, $90,000 Osunitas, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Moone’s My Name – This is clear relief from a graded stakes for this; she has ability, but has been banging her head on the ceiling.

5 Beatrice – Makes her U. S. debut in a stakes, but not too tough a stakes; key vote comes from Rafael Bejarano and first time Lasix.

Long Shot – 1 Premier Steps

Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse $75,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

9 Southern Freedom – Another example of playing the “Match Game” with Gene Rayburn; the move is go to Mike Smith for the win.

6 Mr. Itkins – Showed real improvement last time with a good speed effort; figures to be on the engine from the get go again.

Long Shot – 7 Turnover

Race 8 – 6 furlongs, Purse $80,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

9 Diamond Bachelor – Was scratched on opening day for this much easier spot; like the turnback in distance where he’ll fly late.

5 Holy Lute – Speedy sort is trying to reboot his career; had his confidence shattered in a pair of grade 1 debacles.

Long Shot – 2 Caminetto

Race 9 – 1 mile, $200,000 San Clemente Handicap, Fillies, 3-year-olds

4 Diversy Harbor – Tiny edge in another difficult heat; ran one of his best races for Mike Smith, who took way back and made one run.

12 My Conquestadory – If she wasn’t in parking lot post 12, she would be my clear choice; talented filly prefers to race with a target.

Long Shot – 9 Morning Fix

Race 10 – 1 mile, Purse $38,000, Claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 Dress Code – Reclaimed by Robertino Diodoro, one of the stronger trainer angles going; these are clearly his friends at this level.

9 Mind the Master – Ran evenly down the hill first off the claim by Mike Pupye; stretches out and should enjoy the softer early pace.

Long Shot – 8 Smart Promotion

Race 11 – 1 mile (turf), Purse $75,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

14 Loufoque – Must draw in but has shown plenty of ability; she doe not need the lead to succeed so will tuck in before the first turn.

3 Burning Arch – Ran flat in last after a big effort two races ago; if she rebounds today, she’ll be dangerous in the stretch run.

Long Shot – 12 Star Act

Best Bet – 6 Moone’s My Name (race 6)

Del Mar Friday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/4/$26.20; Long Shots, 8/1/$14.80; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals – 35/7/$48.60; Long Shots, 18/1/$14.80; Best Bets, 2/0/$0

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #10 North Star Boy (6/1) in race 9 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Nubin Ridge ran out at Belmont Park. Stats – 109/67/$636.60; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick