Brad Free: Del Mar horses to watch for week of Nov. 25, 2024

PARADE DOWN BROAD
Trainer: Bob Hess Jr.
Last race: Nov. 22, 5th
Finish: 4th by 8 1/2
Beyer: 50
Maiden-claiming filly hopped at start to get away last, waited behind rivals on turn, finished evenly, galloped out in front. This was a solid comeback, her first race in eight months.

ROMANESQUE
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Nov. 23, 2nd
Finish: 1st by 2 1/4
Beyer: 84
Impressive debut by 2-year-old. Off last from rail, dueled inside, pinned on rail, strong pace, cleared late. Practical Joke colt another top prospect from deep stable.

DEVIL BE ME
Trainer: Steve Knapp
Last race: Nov. 23, 7th
Finish: 6th by 2 1/4
Beyer: 80
Older gelding lacked speed in Cal-bred turf sprint, saved ground, finished willingly. He is more effective on dirt but this effort was okay. Follow when returns to main track.

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SOHO
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Nov. 24, 3rd
Finish: 7th by 5 1/4
Beyer: 68
Trouble-prone allowance filly broke a half-step slow in turf sprint, then was blocked from quarter pole to deep stretch. She is better than her seventh-place finish suggests.

EXULTATION
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Last race: Nov. 24, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 1 1/2
Beyer: 83
Nine-year-old gelding was favored in claiming turf mile but blocked in lane and steadied at eighth pole, which was too much to overcome. His 29 starts have produced nine wins and 10 seconds.

FOREVER AFTER ALL
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Last race: Nov. 24, race 7th
Finish: 2nd by 1
Beyer: 88
Odds-on favorite in Grade 3 turf marathon was tons best. Rail trip, checked, steadied, and shuffled three-eighths, rerallied. Grade 1-placed mare should have won for fun.

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