Brad Free's Del Mar Horses to Watch for Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2024

PHILIPPA
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Aug. 29, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 2
Beyer: 81
Maiden by Arrogate stretched to route, ran well. Lacked speed, rallied wide, loomed, flattened out in race won by inside-speed stablemate. Solid try by Philippa, maiden route win imminent.

RENATUS
Trainer: Antonio Garcia
Last race: Aug. 30, 3rd
Finish: 3rd by 1 3/4
Beyer: 56
Maiden 2-year-old filly keen early while rated in turf mile, blocked briefly far turn, finished well along rail in stretch, galloped out in front. Clubhouse Ride filly has found her niche at two turns.

CALI CAT
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Aug. 30, 5th
Finish: 1st by 2
Beyer: 63
Maiden 2-year-old rated in turf mile, early move to fourth backstretch, waited far turn, re-kicked when hole opened on rail, crushed. Professional win by American Pharoah-sired Cal-bred colt.

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SPYCATCHER
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Aug. 31, 3rd
Finish: 2nd by nose
Beyer: 79
Grade 1-placed maiden, first-time gelding, was best in turf mile. Well placed behind slow pace, blocked five-sixteenths to furlong pole, flew late. Likely winner next out at a longer distance.

HOPE ROAD
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Aug. 31, 4th
Finish: 1st by 5
Beyer: 97
First-time long, this Quality Road–Marley’s Freedom filly settled comfortably in second position in Grade 3 dirt mile and ran away late. She would fit perfectly in Grade 2 Zenyatta on Sept. 28 at Santa Anita.

MCGREGOR
Trainer: Mick Ruis
Last race: Aug. 31, 7th
Finish: 4th by 3
Beyer: 74
Two turns too far for N1X Cal-bred, who flattened out. Five furlongs previously too short. Can win elongated Santa Anita turf sprint. McGregor was identified by astute colleague, who is right.

ULTRA POWER
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Aug. 31, 8th
Finish: 1st tby 7
Beyer: 104
Well-bred allowance colt by Curlin, produced by Grade 1 winner Unique Bella, delivered a powerful comeback route that stamps him a potential stakes colt in the near future. This was a “wow” win.

RAW ABILITY
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Sept. 2, 8th
Finish: 1st by 1/2
Beyer: 77
Scintillating U.S. debut by 3-year-old filly in allowance turf mile. Trailed field, positioned last of 10 at quarter pole, angled outside, smoked 22.41-second final quarter, up late. Future stakes filly.

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