Today at Del Mar: Nov. 9, 2014

TODAY AT DEL MAR by Richard Eng

Post Time Noon p.m.

Race 1 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 12 feet), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

6 My Slew – Tiny edge due to two fine races over Del Mar synthetics; must rebound from last race which was a real stinker.

4 Snowday – Racing first time for a price tag; gets class relief from the grade 3 Eddie D for this much easier spot.

Long Shot – 8 Pulla Train

Race 2 – 1 1/8th miles, Purse $17,000, Claiming $8,000, 3-year-olds and up

5 Gold Medallion – Has won 2-of-7 starts over Del Mar synthetics; has tactical speed to sit a good trip throughout.

4 Harlington Night – Also has good tactical speed to sit a decent trip; this is one of the hardest races on the card tonight.

Long Shot – 1 Second City

Race 3 – 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

2 Roper – Is a twice beaten favorite but is facing another slow group today; will sit mid-pack and come thru late.

4 Guyfromtheskyfive – Good career debut in a fast closing second; key is if he’ll improve in second career start.

Long Shot – 5 Captain Carchy

Race 4 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 12 feet), Purse $35,000, Claiming $32,000, 3-year-olds and up

12 Tigah – Returns to SoCal where he’s run some very good races; reunited with Barry Abrams who had a lot of success with him.

10 Compari – Tepid chalk in another wide open affair; strong run for $50K in last, starts the Pick 6 with a $80K carryover.

Long Shot – 5 Trelawny

Race 5 – 7 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Maiden claiming $40,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

6 Siena Grace – Been away 10-months but returns in a soft spot; the tote board will tell you what the clockers think of her.

4 Home Maid Brownie – Like the cut back in distance from a 2-turn mile to this elongated sprint; should have some energy late.

Long Shot – 2 Bench Ruling

Race 6 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $19,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

1 Rosa Divina – With a short run to the far turn, the rail is a big edge in this abbreviated sprint; Drayden Van Dyke should just send.

7 Bold Decision – Ran like a filly who needed a race off a year hiatus; chance in a very slow field tonight.

Long Shot – 4 Southern Owah

Race 7 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 12 feet), Purse $58,000, Optional claiming 440,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Chilada – Leandro Mora has been having more success than his suspended boss Doug O’Neill; won her lone start over Del Mar turf.

8 Charlie’s Angel – Ran OK in her U.S. debut, but suspect there is more to her; big rider switch to Mike Smith for the money shot.

Long Shot – 5 Sweet Tess

Race 8 – 7 furlongs, $100,000 Betty Grable, Cal-breds, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

2 More Complexity – Lets go for a price in another difficult race in the Pick 6 sequence; 7-furlongs could be right up her alley.

9 Tribal Gal – A parking lot post in an elongated sprint can be a positive; Victor Espinoza has been rejuvenated this year.

Long Shot – 4 Warren’s Veneda

Race 9 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 12 feet), Purse $56,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

4 Itsgettinhotinhere – Sure looked like a different horse in last; flew home to just miss, will need some help up front too.

7 The Custodian – Do you think this barn is missing Doug O’Neill; well his job is to keep the good horses coming in with glad owners.

Long Shot – 3 Synnin

Best Bet – 4 Chilada (race 7)

Del Mar Saturday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 18/4/$23.00; Long Shots, 9/0/$0; Best Bet, 1/1/$5.00

Del Mar Totals – 36/9/$46.80; Long Shots, 18/0/$0; Best Bets, 2/1/$5.00

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #2 Persuasive Devil (4/1) in race 6 at Aqueduct. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Saturday, Premier Steps ran third at Churchill Downs paying $3.00 to show. Stats – 173/103/$943.70; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick