Brad Free's Los Alamitos horses to watch from Sept. 16-17, 2023
ESSENTIAL BUSINESS
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Sept. 16, 7th
Finish: 6th by 24
Beyer: 35
Even-money allowance filly broke slowly, pinched, rushed inside, shuffled on turn, and surrendered. This race was a toss-out for filly with legit excuses (bad trips, distance) for her last three defeats.
CLASS CLOWN
Trainer: Brian Koriner
Last race: Sept. 17, 1st
Finish: 1st by 4
Beyer: 81
Troubled first out, maiden filly broke like a shot second out, zoomed to lead, was confidently handled, and won clear. California-bred 3-year-old by Practical Joke would fit in statebred allowance.
SORBET
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Sept. 17, 1st
Finish: 2nd by 4
Beyer: 71
Debut 3-year-old filly ran well while simply second-best behind experienced rival Class Clown. Sorbet, by Nyquist, finished six lengths clear of third in promising debut. Can improve next out.
KINGDOM HEART
Trainer: Vladimir Cerin
Last race: Sept. 17, 7th
Finish: 1st by 3 1/2
Beyer: 90
Speedster was 6-1 loading for entry-level allowance sprint, odds plummeted to 5-2 in final cycle, sped to lead, and was gone. Notwithstanding late odds drop, fast colt ran well. Threat moving up in class.
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