Today at Del Mar: Sept. 1, 2014

TODAY AT DEL MAR by Richard Eng

Post Time 2 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $38,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

7 Faith Hope Love – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; Rafael Bejarano won an amazing 6 races on Sunday.

10 Ryderroo – She’s been down this road a lot; she is good for cashing paychecks but is a proven nibbler.

Long Shot – 5 Best in Class

Race 2 – 1 1/16th miles, Purse $33,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds

3 Super Reagan – Sharp maiden claiming win last out on the drop; facing winners for the first time, seems properly placed.

8 Contributor – Would like him better if not for the parking lot post; Aaron Gryder rarely ever rides for Tom Proctor.

Long Shot – 5 Go Black Tie

Race 3 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 6 feet), Purse $75,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

2 Yes Yes Yes – Turned in a career best effort when second in last; the key will be if he can move forward one more step.

10 Wicked Finance – Getting a bit long in the tooth; the key for me is he has run a couple of races fast enough to upset these.

Long Shot – 7 Wanstead Gardens

Race 4 – 6 furlongs, $150,000 I’m Smokin, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

7 Wake Up Nick – Unbeaten in three career starts; not sure how far he’ll want to go, but he figures to go fast sprinting for now.

2 Truely Quick – This colt may be able to go 2-turns in future tests; has done nothing wrong for a good trainer in Jeff Bonde.

Long Shot – 8 Global Magician

Race 5 – 1 mile, Purse $80,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

4 Tiz Midnight – Highly regarded Bob Baffert filly is finally coming around; carefully managed, has not even run in a stakes yet.

5 Lady Asano – Has been stuck at this $62.5K level for quite some time; has nibbled enough paychecks to earn more than $130K.

Long Shot – 7 My Happy Face

Race 6 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 6 feet), $100,000 Oak Tree Juvenile, Fillies, 2-year-olds

5 She’s Complete – I have been known to like maidens in juvenile stakes; has good experience with two placings, has lots of talent.

1 Achiever’s Legacy – The rail going a 2-turn mile is a major post advantage; saving ground while a short run to the first turn.

Long Shot – 2 Diva Express

Race 7 – 6 furlongs, Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

6 Pulla Train – That was a sharp win last time off a 7-month hiatus; can win right back as long as he doesn’t bounce.

3 Next Speaker – Tepid chalk in a really wide open affair; claimed by Bob Hess who keeps Tyler Baze in the saddle.

Long Shot – 11 Giant Ego

Race 8 – 1 mile, Purse $77,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up

10 Conscience – With Gary Stevens out, Drayden Van Dyke gets more of the stable opportunities; bugboy clearly rides like a journeyman.

6 Seeking the West – Been stuck at this O/C $40K level forever; has cashed a lot of paychecks, but obviously lacks a killer instinct.

Long Shot – 2 Got Even

Race 9 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 6 feet), $200,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

7 Parranda – Has improved enough to battle the best in the SoCal distaff division; enjoy it now because the Breeder’s Cup is coming.

5 Cozze Up Lady – Close third in a blanket finish of the Mabee; this has been a big meet for Keith Desormeaux who brought the right horses.

Long Shot – 1 Stormy Lucy

Race 10 – 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $75,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 2-year-olds

13 Matty’s Tribal – Must draw in but I like him if he does; was favored in debut and gave a good account of himself.

9 Mischief Clem – FTS from the team of Bob Hess and Kent Desormeaux; your edge is you will see the tote action on the many FTS.

Long Shot – 8 Flexible

Race 11 – 6 furlongs, Purse $24,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds and up

9 Tribal Dude – Claimed by Bob Hess who legs up, who else, but Kent Desormeaux; has many back speed number to compete with these.

1 No Ez Money – Has shown plenty of early lead, but no staying power; the final 50 yards are the most difficult.

Long Shot – 12 Chattering Class

Best Bet – 7 Wake Up Nick (race 4)

Del Mar Sunday – Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 21/8/$45.80; Long Shots, 10/1/$8.60; Best Bet, 1/1/$4.00

Del Mar Totals – 574/130/$892.00; Long Shots, 285/30/$320.40; Best Bets, 31/9/$46.60

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY – #10 Shankopotamus (5/2) in race 10 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we’ll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Curalina was scratched at Saratoga. Stats – 136/82/$785.30; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick