Two big shots for Sherman

DEL MAR, Calif. - Opening day at Del Mar is an over-the-top affair, but on day two, the UFO's are gone, and the regulars have the run of the place. You can get into the Turf Club, you don't have to sharpen your elbows to get to the betting windows or the bar, and you won't be knocked silly by a passerby with an oversized hat on his head.

Thursday's card, a cut above the norm for a weekday, features a pair of third-level allowance races. Art Sherman, the northern California-based trainer who has a 25-horse stable at Del Mar this summer, has top chances in both races.

In the second race, at 1 1/16 miles on turf for older horses, Sherman saddles Dynout, who most recently won a second-level allowance race at Golden Gate. In the seventh, at 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track for fillies and mares, Sherman sends out Princess Lianna in search of her third straight victory after a pair of wins in northern California.

is "a good come-from-behind sprinter," Sherman said Tuesday. "But if there's no speed in the race, she can go on with it, too. She's got some gas."

Princess Lianna figures to lay off the pace in this race. Vikki's Honor, drawn just to her outside, has sharp early speed, and Calder shipper Defined Borders should get a first-over trip from the outside post.

"It looks like we'll lay third or fourth," Sherman said.

Princess Lianna originally was sent south to run in Hollywood Park's Valkyr Handicap last Saturday, but that race was scrapped because of insufficient entries.

"I was just looking for a spot after that," Sherman said.

has won twice in her last three starts. She ran well in March, and shows a series of good works for her first start since April.

was privately purchased in Florida after beating a second-level allowance field on June 27 at Calder. She worked a half-mile in 46.80 seconds at Santa Anita on July 14.

"She breezed really nice the other day," said her trainer, Mike Whittingham.

In the second race, Sherman said he will be hoping for a hot pace to help Dynout.

"He needs a lot of pace up front," Sherman said.

The early pacesetter figures to be Warrior Song, but there are only five horses in the race, and the pace should not be contested.

The horse to beat in that race might be New Export, a Bobby Frankel trainee who has faced stakes-class horses in his two starts in this country. He figures to get a good trip stalking Warrior Song.