HORSE RACING

TODAY AT DEL MAR

By Richard Eng

Post Time 2 p.m.

Race 1 - 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $63,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

5 Starspangled Heat - Did everything but win last time in a head bob loss to Checkmark; note how overbet he was.

4 Unusual Beam - Barry Abrams has an uncoupled entry; this one is favored under Rafael Bejarano.

Long Shot - 7 Amoracchius

Race 2 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Claiming $12,500, 3-year-olds and up

6 Charlie and Chris - Claimed by Jeff Mullins and spotted smartly to repeat a win; will be grinding late.

3 Tequila Gold - Ship and win candidate very late in the meet; Emerald Downs horses have more than held their own.

Long Shot - 1 Mr. Saturdaynight

Race 3 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $63,000, Maiden special weights, 3-year-olds and up

2 Phantom Lover - Ron Ellis has an uncoupled entry so caveat emptor; nice return off a 10-month hiatus.

4 Ultimate Decision - Other Ellis could complete a cozy quinella; he ran well too off a 10-month hiatus.

Long Shot - 7 Rock This Way

Race 4 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 14 feet), Purse $48,000, Claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up

2 Hudson Landing - Claimed by Jeff Bonde off a sharp win over Del Mar sod; has the back class to repeat the race.

7 Red Alert Day - Rested since thrown to the wolves in Japan; if he recovered from the ship, he'll be tough.

Long Shot - 4 Stoneside

Race 5 - 1 mile, Purse $65,000, Optional claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

8 Bluegrass Reward - Whether this horse is trained by Steve Miyadi or Mike Mitchell, he figures to be a bear.

7 Holladay Road - Julio Canani claimed off a sharp comeback win; the key is if he bounces or repeats.

Long Shot - 4 Romeo Royale

Race 6 - 5 1/2 furlongs, Purse $63,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

7 Heart's Memory - No secret when favored in debut and narrowly missed; if she improves a step she'll win.

1 Vicki Victoria - Fought hard in last giving up in the late stages; draws the rail and will leave again.

Long Shot - 5 Warren's Mo Money

Race 7 - 6 1/2 furlongs, Purse $70,000, Optional claiming $62,500, 3-year-olds and up

8 Luckarack - Gave a gallant effort in the Real Good Deal; second race off the claim by John Sadler.

1 Korban - Has a good Del Mar resume, albeit from 2 years ago; been sharpening his skills for this one shot.

Long Shot - 7 Sinai

Race 8 - 1 mile (turf, rail at 14 feet), $200,000 Del Mar Mile Handicap, 3-year-olds and up

3 Mr. Commons - Was spectacular in winning the Oceanside on opening day; John Shirreffs is thinking Breeders' Cup.

2 Caracortado - Is likely best suited as a closing miler; is a hard tryer but a cut below grade 1 caliber.

Long Shot - 5 Our Nautique

Race 9 - 7 furlongs, Purse $27,000, Maiden claiming $30,000, 3-year-olds and up

8 Tiz Golden - Sliding down the maiden claiming ladder to this career low level; should be primed for best effort.

9 Foreboding - Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; like the turn back in distance.

Long Shot - 5 Magic Beam

Best Bet - 8 Tiz Golden (race 9)

Del Mar Friday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 13/1/$5.80; Long Shots, 6/2/$20.40; Best Bet, 1/0/$0

Del Mar Totals - 460/102/$680.20; Long Shots, 223/35/$449.00; Best Bets, 26/10/$58.20

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #5 Poseidon's Warrior (20/1) in race 11 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Slevin ran second at Saratoga paying $3.40 to place and $2.50 to show. Stats - 142/92/$736.10