Brad Free: Southern California Horses to Watch for week of Dec. 4, 2023

LLORONA
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Dec. 1, 1st
Finish: 1st by 5 3/4
Beyer: 79
Odds-on first out, well-bred 3-year-old filly cruised to lead, romped with plenty left. Sibling to champion juvenile colt Corniche also bred for turf, no telling how good. Up the ladder.

QUICK KATE
Trainer: Craig Lewis
Last race: Dec. 1, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by nose
Beyer: 44
Debut juvenile filly was much best in Cal-bred maiden turf sprint. Broke slowly, far back, ground-saving rally through turn, angled out, kicked, missed. Ran better than her low figure.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

HOT HOT HOT
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Dec. 1, 4th
Finish: 4th by 4 3/4
Beyer: 55
Debut juvenile filly ran like she needed a start in maiden turf sprint. Tucked fourth on rail, maintained position, one-paced through lane. Well-bred filly likely to improve second out.

MEDORO
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Last race: Dec. 1, 4th
Finish: 1st by head
Beyer: 72
Debut juvenile filly not quick from rail in turf sprint, shuffled early, waited for room on turn, rallied inside in stretch, lengthened stride, won going away. Bred to run long, plenty upside.

DRIVE FOR SHOW
Trainer: Antonio Garcia
Last race: Dec. 1, 8th
Finish: 4th by 5
Beyer: 48
Second-start juvenile stretched out in Cal-bred maiden turf mile, rallied wide, evenly, race won by same-owner pacesetter. Drive for Show racing into shape, next should be his best.

DANIEL’S MAGIC
Trainer: Eoin Harty
Last race: Dec. 2, 3rd
Finish: 4th by 4
Beyer: 87
Five furlongs too short for improved veteran. Settled fifth early in stakes race, maintained position, evenly throughout. Horse-for-course on Santa Anita hill, upset candidate next out.

MO FOX GIVIN
Trainer: Leonard Powell
Last race: Dec. 2, 5th
Finish: 6th by 2 3/4
Beyer: 72
Tough trip by juvenile filly in Grade 3 turf mile. Anchored near rear, bit keen, last far turn, blocked in traffic into lane, split foes, big finish, big gallop-out. She can win a stakes race.

RUBY NELL
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Dec. 3, 7th
Finish: 5th by 2
Beyer: 92
Front-runner rated in Grade 1 turf mile, three wide early, four-wide rally far turn, loomed threat into lane, lost punch late. This was a better-than-looked wide-trip performance.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.