Brad Free's Del Mar Horses to Watch for week of July 25, 2024

RECYCLEYOURHEART
Trainer: Andy Mathis
Last race: July 26, 1st
Finish: 3rd by 1
Beyer: 42
Second-start juvenile filly was best in Cal-bred maiden-50 Off slow, hard-held, steadied on turn, angled out, wrong lead. She is green, but fits vs. similar. This this was a tough trip.

SHEA BRENNAN
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: July 26, 3rd
Finish: 1st by 2 1/4
Beyer: 70
Debut juvenile broke last, rail rally turn, angled out, powered away. Impressive last-to-first debut by Tough Sunday colt, early contender I’m Smokin Stakes for Cal-bred 2-year-olds Sept. 6.

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BRUMMELL
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: July 27, 5th
Finish: 7th by 9 1/4
Beyer: 37
This $1 million yearling purchase went favored in juvenile turf mile, but ran around the track and did not rally. He trained better than he ran, could add blinkers and improve next out.

EXPRESS TRAIN
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: July 27, 8th
Finish: 3rd by 4 3/4
Beyer: 91
Repeat “horses-to-watch” lister trailed, wide rally far turn, flattened out, race won by pace-presser. Express Train’s third start back will be his best, on Aug. 31 in Grade 1 Pacific Classic.

HOTROCKET
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: July 27, 9th
Finish: 4th by 2 3/4
Beyer: 89
Euro import rated near back of field in N1X turf mile, inched closer far turn, lost ground wide into lane, fastest final quarter-mile in field (23.20). Solid comeback by honest gelding.

DESERT ROCKET
Trainer: Simon Callaghan
Last race: July 28, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 2
Beyer: 68
No-speed maiden settled near back, rallied inside, steadied in traffic deep stretch, re-rallied. Second-best, but would have made it close without trouble. Sitting on a maiden win.

GLORIOUS LIFE
Trainer: Carla Gaines
Last race: July 28, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/2
Beyer: 75
Maiden off nine months set pace in Cal-bred turf mile, led to deep stretch, overhauled late by stablemate. Solid comeback by Glorious Life, he should be tough next out vs. similar.

BALNIKHOV
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: July 28, 9th
Finish: 3rd by 3
Beyer: 97
Gelding ran super in slow-pace nine-furlong Grade 2 on turf. Trailed, rail trip, angled outside in lane, finished fastest (34.44 final three-eighths). Contender next out with pace to run at.

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