Horse Racing: Today at Del Mar, July 25

Post Time 2:05 p.m.
Race 1 – 6 ½ furlongs, Purse $36,000, Maiden claiming $50,000, Cal-breds, 3-year-olds and up
6 Brimstoned – Taking the biggest class drop in racing from MSW to maiden claiming; has two other things going for him, first time as a gelding and blinkers off.
1 Stormin Trick – Speed and the rail has not been the true path to victory so far this meet; off the turf angle, taking the big class drop from MSW to maiden claiming.
Long Shot – 4 Lucky Reality
Race 2 – 1 1/8th miles, Purse $22,000, Claiming $10,000, 3-year-olds and up
2 Hittheroadrunning – Horses shipping down from Golden Gate Fields have been doing great; the key could be training year round over the Tapeta synthetic surface.
10 Fit to Rule – Tepid chalk is with his friends at this low class; has good tactical speed and a nice parking lot draw to sit a perfect stalking trip.
Long Shot – 1 Becker’s Galaxy
Race 3 – 7 furlongs, $200,000 Fleet Treat, Cal-breds, Fillies, 3-year-olds
3 Sheer Pleasure – Like the cutback in distance on this morning line favorite; Tyler Baze should be able to sit and pick his spot turning for home.
6 Kiss At Midnight – Woke up with an enormous winning effort last time out at Santa Anita Park; been given time to avoid a bounce, repeat race can beat these.
Long Shot –1 Patsy G and Me
Race 4 – 7 furlongs, Purse $58,000, Claiming $50,000, 3-year-olds and up
8 Fight Thru – If you’ve been following me over the years, you know how much I like cutback horses; from the top Peter Miller barn, one to beat.
7 Great Lou – Was overmatched in last when run on gras and for O/C $80K; is dropped in class where he’ll be facing his friends, chance to rebound.
Long Shot – 3 Spin Forty
Race 5 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 6 feet), Purse $72,000, 3-year-olds and up
1 Somethings Unusual – Tough, but deserved, DQ in last; keeps him eligible for this race condition, picks up HOF Mike Smith for Drayden Van Dyke.
5 Hawkedon – Tepid chalk has won two races in a row since claimed by trainer Mike Pupye; tactical speed to sit a nice trip under Rafael Bejarano.
Long Shot – 11 It Is Living Water
Race 6 – 6 furlongs, Purse $70,000, Maiden special weights, 2-year-olds
2 American League – One race of experience can be a real advantage for a young 2-YO; was well bet in debut when third at 2/1 for trainer Michael McCarthy.
1 Path of David – Got an education first time out Churchill Downs; suspect this will be go time with Rafael Bejarano taking over for trainer Michael Stidham.
Long Shot - Exaggerator
Race 7 – 1 mile (turf, rail at 6 feet), Purse $72,000, Allowance, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
3 Chaulk O Lattey – Has won on the lead and from just off the early pace; we know Rafael Bejarano prefers to sit a trip so expect him to take back.
9 Sweet as a Rose – Drayden Van Dyke has a good riding style for turf routes; he likes to let a horse settle, save some ground, and make one run.
Long Shot – 11 Zanbo
Race 8 - 1 1/16th miles, $200,000 San Diego Handicap, 3-year-olds and up
4 Bayern – Champ exits two horrible looking finishes at Churchill Downs and Belmont Park; his races in his SoCal home are light years better.
6 Catch a Flight – HOF Gary Stevens may have moved too soon in the Gold Cup; this horse wins the close ones, but may idle when he gets the lead early.
Long Shot – 3 Hoppertunity
Race 9 – 6 ½ furlongs, Purse $72,000, Optional claiming $40,000, 3-year-olds and up
2 Micks Miracle – Highly regarded sprint prospect from trainer Philip D’Amato; Tyler Baze takes over as he has done solid work for this barn.
1 Unblunted – Took 6-months off after a miserable effort in the Sham; Michael McCarthy has basically started all over as he works thru his conditions.
Long Shot – 8 Big Tire
Race 10 – 1 1/16th miles (turf, rail at 6 feet), Purse $70,000, Maiden special weights, Fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
10 Scandal – Been knocking on the door and appears ready to tear it down; HOF trainer Richard Mandella goes to blinkers on to get the deal done.
11 Place des Vosges – Has faced good talent at Churchill Downs and is not overmatched facing these; Corey Nakatani remains one of the top turf riders.
Long Shot – 1 Perdona
Best Bet - 3 Sheer Pleasure (race 3)
Del Mar Friday - Picks/Winners/Mutuels, 15/2/$15.40; Long Shots, 7/2/$17.60; Best Bet, 0/0/$0
Del Mar Totals - 117/24/$182.00; Long Shots, 54/9/$82.40; Best Bets, 6/1/$5.00
SIMULCAST PLAY OF THE DAY - #7 Lady Lara (10/1) in race 10 at Saratoga. For scoring purposes, we'll make a hypothetical $2 win, place and show bet, $6 total. On Friday, Loverbil won at Monmouth Park paying $2.60 to win, $2.10 to place. Stats - 103/71/$566.10; Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick