Brad Free's Del Mar Horses to Watch for week of Aug. 1, 2024

SUPA SPEED
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Aug. 1, 1st
Finish: 1st by 1 1/2
Beyer: 75
Debut filly by Justify pressed pace, scored solid turf-sprint debut victory, and is likely to improve at two turns. Well-bred Supa Speed looms a contender Sept. 7 in Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf.

SCIPIO
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Last race: Aug. 2, 3rd
Finish: 3rd by 1 1/2
Beyer: 61
Well-bet 2-year-old maiden got restless in the gate of turf sprint, broke slowly, lost all chance. He ran well thereafter, unleashing an extended rally and finishing with run. He was best. Next time.

RED FLAG
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: Aug. 3, 4th
Finish: 1st by 3 1/2
Beyer: 96
Grade 2 winner as a juvenile at Del Mar, comeback 6-year-old gelding returned from long layoff, dropped to $40,000 claiming, crushed. Claimed by Mullins from Shirreffs, can win right back.

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ACCURACY
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Aug. 3, 6th
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/4
Beyer: 74
This debut 3-year-old filly by Arrogate was void of speed in a dirt sprint, gradually rallied inside, swung out for the drive, took aim, and then lost her punch. This was a very respectable debut.

ON THE EQUINOX
Trainer: Craig Lewis
Last race: Aug. 4, 3rd
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 64
This 3-year-old debut filly by Clubhouse Ride ran well in turf sprint. Not quick, saved ground on turn, angled out, finished willingly. Maidens from this stable typically improve with racing.

ATITLAN
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: Aug. 4, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 2 3/4
Beyer: 83
Up in class to Grade 3 off a maiden win, sibling to Grade 2 Astronaut was forwardly placed, in traffic backstretch, loomed, tired. Lightly raced 3-year-old Atitlan on his way to bigger, better.

IRISH ROYALTY
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Aug. 4, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/4
Beyer: 76
Cal-bred allowance sprinter lacked speed in turf sprint, blocked briefly on turn, found a seam into lane, and finished well. Five furlongs shorter than he prefers, but this was a solid effort.

SCARY FAST RIDE
Trainer: Sean McCarthy
Last race: Aug. 4, 8th
Finish: 4th by 6 3/4
Beyer: 78
Inside speed bias compromised rally-wide allowance mare. Lagged three and four wide, evenly through lane in race dominated by odds-on pacesetter. Can win N1X sprint on fair surface.

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