Brad Free's Horses to Watch at Del Mar for the week of Aug. 20-23, 2026

WIKI KANE
Trainer: Adam Kitchingman
Last race: Aug. 20, 1st
Finish: 5th by 2
Beyer: 67
Unexpected strategy led to subpar effort as heavy favorite in allowance turf sprint for 3-year-olds. Late-running winner last out, shot to lead, faded. Toss this, he runs best from off the pace.

PRINCE DOLCE
Trainer: Steve Knapp
Last race: Aug. 20, 7th
Finish: 4th by 1 3/4
Beyer: 73
Four and five wide throughout in Cal-bred dirt mile, gelding ran well despite excessive ground loss. Worth another shot on dirt, though might prefer turf. Either way, draw a line through this.

MICHAEL
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: Aug. 21, 1st
Finish: 3rd by 3 3/4
Beyer: 74
Debut 3-year-old completely void of speed in turf sprint, trailed field, angled out for stretch run, finished willingly and galloped out with run. Promising career debut by Maclean’s Music colt.

MAN O ROSE
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: Aug. 22, 5th
Finish: 8th by 21 3/4
Beyer: 26
Broke through gate before start of Green Flash Handicap, ran quarter-mile before re-loaded, lacked customary speed, checked, and retreated on turn. This comeback debacle is a toss race.

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DEAR DIARY
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Aug. 22, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 1
Beyer: 55
Debut 2-year-old filly by Into Mischief void of speed in sprint, rallied inside through turn, finished willingly in stretch and galloped out in front of the field. This was a solid debut.

FIRST PEACE
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Aug. 22, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/4
Beyer: 95
Odd trip for $100K claiming veteran in turf mile. Curiously void of speed, three wide early, four and five wide far turn and into lane, finished well, but trip/ground loss sealed his fate. Not bad.

FULL SERRANO
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Aug. 22, 10th
Finish: 3rd by 7 1/2
Beyer: 94
Despite a pace duel with winner Knightsbridge in Pacific Classic, Full Serrano hung tough to top of stretch before tiring. Veteran is in form, autumn goal is Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland.

ALITTLETOOFABULOUS
Trainer: Carla Gaines
Last race: Aug. 23, 5th
Finish: 2nd by 1
Beyer: 66
Solid debut by 3-year-old filly in Cal-bred maiden turf sprint. Tucked fourth, angled out, good finish, nearly four lengths clear. Liam’s Map filly has deep female family; maiden win imminent.

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