Horse Racing: Today at Del Mar, July 22

TODAY AT DEL MAR by Richard Eng

Post Time 2:05 p.m.

Race 1 – 6 furlongs, Purse $31,000, Claiming $16,000, 3-year-olds

3 Justonemorething – Has not been seen since Feb. 26 at Santa Anita; returns at a reduced price tag and that alone points to a main danger.

1 Silvertron – Claimed by Bob Hess last time as a badly beaten favorite at Churchill Downs; makes his SoCal debut as a ship and win candidate.

Long Shot – 8 Comanche Ruler

Race 2 – 6 furlongs, Purse $29,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up

3 Whiskey Wild – Been away since Mar. 1 at Santa Anita; was claimed the race before by Bob Hess, been given time off and returns as a drop down.

5 Venetian Mask – Returns for the maestro Jerry Hollendorfer as a first time gelding; reduced price tag will give double reasons to like him here.

Long Shot – 8 Sir Macho

Race 3 – 5 furlongs (turf, rail at 6 feet), Purse $78,000, Optional claiming $80,000, 3-year-olds and up

5 Holy Lute – Gets class relief when overmatched in the grade 1 Triple Bend; back with his friends and his preferred grass surface.

3 Forest Chatter – Despite being listed as a Kentucky bred, he is eligible for Cal-bred races; now he is back facing tougher open company.

Long Shot – 1 Marchman

Race 4 – 5 furlongs, Purse $36,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, Fillies, 2-year-olds

8 Lady Wedge – Logical chalk is taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; definitely has some high early cheese.

1 Briana Jean – It’s only a matter of time before James Graham wins his first SoCal race; he is a talented rider in the style of Garrett Gomez.

Long Shot – 3 Grape Fizz

Race 5 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 6 feet), Purse $70,000, Maiden special weights, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up

1 Sir Cal – Rafael Bejarano gets a late start to today’s card; can save all the ground and figure out a rallying trip in the late stages.

7 Over Par – Maiden has already tried a couple of stakes races; ran gamely when second in last; one step of improvement puts him in the hunt.

Long Shot – 10 Bold Papa

Race 6 – 1 mile, Purse $75,000, Optional claiming $62,500, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

5 Savings Account – Tiny edge in a very difficult heat; when Tom Proctor brings them in from back East, he believes they are talented enough.

4 Roksana – Had a legit excuse last time when the saddle slipped early in the race; she is reunited with Felipe Valdez who won twice on her before.

Long Shot – 6 Divina Comedia

Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 6 feet), $80,000 Wickerr, 3-year-olds and up

11 Winning Prize – He is the logical chalk, but his last win was a long time ago in the grade 1 Kilroe; may be good enough from a difficult post.

6 Pure Tactics – This may be a good spot to try and beat the chalk from a parking lot post; he won a turf sprint at Del Mar last summer.

Long Shot – 2 Footstepsinbronze

Race 8 – 1 mile, Purse $23,000, Maiden claiming $20,000, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

1 Dixie Tweet – When you see Rafael Bejarano stay for the finale in a very cheap race, look out; severe class drop points out the obvious.

8 Luvuryan – Another taking a huge class drop in of a photo; drop downs win a lot at Del Mar as owners want they picture taken at all costs.

Long Shot – 2 Mucho Blessings

Best Bet - 5 Holy Lute (race 3)

Del Mar Sunday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 19/7/$44.60; Long Shots, 7/1/$16.20; Best Bet, 1/1/$5.00

Del Mar Totals - 71/15/$115.00; Long Shots, 31/7/$64.80; Best Bets, 4/1/$5.00

SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #4 Charlie Again (2/1) in race 2 at Delaware Park. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Sunday, Mutasaawy won at Belmont Park paying $15.00 to win, $5.20 to place and $3.20 to show. Stats - 100/68/$540.80; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick