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The Horses to Watch feature from DRF Simulcast Weekly will be posted every Thursday during the Del Mar meet. Horses from the last three weeks of the Hollywood Park meet are also below.
September 3 Horses to Watch
Jitterbug Ball
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Aug. 21, 7th
Finish: 4th by 2
Second favorite in turf sprint should have won, but was poorly ridden by Jorge Chavez. Broke slowly and was tentatively ridden early, quickly rolled into contention on turn, and lugged out while wide. He was five wide into lane, raced on wrong lead to wire, and finished fairly close.
Entourage
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Aug. 24, 6th
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/4
Odds-on favorite in turf route for 2-year-old maidens should have won, but was poorly ridden by Norberto Arroyo. Colt by A.P. Indy was kept buried on the inside instead of going outside.
- BRAD FREE
August 27 Horses to Watch
Gn. Group Meeting
TRAINER: Cliff Sise
LAST RACE: Aug. 16, 3rd
FINISH: 4th by 6 1/2
Closing sprinter was compromised when he broke through the gate, then settled in last and finished well in a six-furlong allowance. He won a stakes last year at Fairplex Park and could show up there again when the meet begins in early September.
Dew Drop
TRAINER: Paulo Lobo
LAST RACE: Aug. 17, 6th
FINISH: 3rd by 6 1/2
Lightly raced mare had a brutal trip under apprentice rider Martin Garcia, and should have finished much closer. Ready for her best next time out, short or long.
- BRAD FREE
August 20 Horses to Watch
Sweet Way
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: Aug. 7, 7th
Finish: 4th by 1
A lightly raced, well-bred filly (by Giant's Causeway and a half-sister to Sweet Catomine), she was victimized by a bad trip in her first try against winners and first time on turf. She got buried behind a wall of horses on the far turn, was blocked, swung wide, and finished well.
Get Funky
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Aug. 12, 8th
Finish: 3rd by 3/4
Honest turf colt found the 1 1/16-mile distance of the La Jolla Handicap just a shade too far after battling through a contested pace. One mile is the limit for this good colt, who would benefit from a slight class-drop.
- Brad Free
August 13 Horses to Watch
Colonial Event
TRAINER: Bill Currin
LAST RACE: Aug. 3, 4th
FINISH: 5th by 6 1/2
Half-brother to graded stakes winner Memorette was making his career debut in a turf route, and ran very well. Broke slow, blocked behind runners through far turn, in tight along rail through lane, finished well to split the field.
Colonel Chick
TRAINER: Jeff Mullins
LAST RACE: Aug. 5, 6th
FINISH: 2nd by 2 1/2
First-time starter stamped self as potential stakes colt with a huge debut. Pressed hot pace while losing ground four wide, took charge in midstretch, then got collared late by deep closer in a race that was much better than the modest final time indicated.
- Brad Free
August 6 Horses to Watch
Step Over
TRAINER: Bobby Frankel
LAST RACE: July 24, 3rd
FINISH: 3rd by 11 1/4
Improving older maiden had no chance from behind on speed-favoring main track. Saved ground at the back and finished well, but leader was gone in highly rated race.
Record
TRAINER: Bob Baffert
LAST RACE: July 27, 7th
FINISH: 3rd by 1 1/2
Second-level allowance sprinter was miles best after two incidents of trouble. Steadied at start and lost position, trailed early, rallied inside, steadied into lane, and re-rallied again. Finished a close third while encountering more trouble than his margin of defeat.
- Brad Free
July 30 Horses to Watch
Mr Tex
TRAINER: Bob Baffert
LAST RACE: July 19, 3rd
FINISH: 5th by 8
California-bred 2-year-old had misfortune of drawing rail for debut and it cost him. Full brother to good allowance filly Excessively Nice can move up a ton with outside post.
Masterful Lass
TRAINER: Chris Paasch
LAST RACE: July 23, 7th
FINISH: 7th by 14
Juvenile filly showed much ability despite tough trip in debut. Bumped and shuffled back to last at start of sprint, then finished well without being urged.
- Steve Andersen
July 23 Horses to Watch
Grace Game
Trainer: Chuck Peery
Last Race: July 12, 8th
Finish: 6th by 5 1/4
In her career debut, she closed with interest after a slow start. She was beaten several lengths but was making up ground in the final furlong. She is one to follow in statebred maiden races for 2-year-old fillies.
Smooth Talk
Trainer: Jorge Gutierrez
Last Race: July 14, 3rd
Finish: 3rd by 12
This maiden claimer had trouble on the first turn but recovered to finish a well-beaten third. He deserves the benefit of the doubt because of a troubled trip.
- Steve Andersen
July 16 Horses to Watch
Columbini
Trainer: Jenine Sahadi
Last race: July 3, 7th
Finish: 6th by 11 1/2
This gelding was making a move along the rail when he was forced to take up because of interference. He could have been a factor in a $16,000 claimer and belongs at that level.
Lineout
Trainer: Jerry Wallace
Last race: July 8, 11th
Finish: 3rd by 3 1/4
This veteran claimer was blocked at a pivotal point in a turf sprint, but still rallied well to get third. With a little luck, he could have pulled an upset at 42-1.
- Steve Andersen
July 9 Horses to Watch
Miaduebelle
Trainer: Bob Hess Jr.
Last race: June 29, 8th
Finish: 3rd by 4
This filly found trouble twice in the final three furlongs of a seven-furlong race. She still closed to finish third. She fits with cheap female claimers.
Snow Fighter
Trainer: Art Sherman
Last race: July 2, 11th
Finish: 6th by 6
After racing wide on the backstretch, he pursued a quick pace and faded in the final furlong. The race at 6 1/2 furlongs with that much pressure could be an ideal prep for a future maiden race.
- Steve Andersen
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