Brad Free’s Los Alamitos Horses to Watch for week of Sept. 14

Hijiki
Trainer: Mike Puype
Last race: Sept. 11, 6th
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/2
Beyer: 46
This 2-year-old first-time starter broke slowly in a sprint, trailed, and finished with purpose. A full sister to distance specialist Zanbo, she can improve with experience and distance.

May B
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Sept. 11, 1st
Finish: 1st by 8 3/4
Beyer: 77
First off the claim by Glatt, this gelding romped for an $8K tag. Much improved for his new connections, he can fire right back in a similar bottom-level claiming sprint.

I Will Score
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Last race: Sept. 11, 4th
Finish: 1st by 6 1/4
Beyer: 80
Hammered to favoritism first time out, this 2-year-old colt by Roman Ruler set a fast pace and widened through the lane even while looking around. This was a smashing debut.

Ultimate Luck
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Sept. 13, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/4
Beyer: 59
Odds-on in a low-level claimer at five furlongs, this gelding got lost early, dropped back, and was extremely wide into the lane. This was a toss-out race.

Zip the Monkey
Trainer: Marty Jones
Last race: Sept. 13, 9th
Finish: 3rd by 9 1/2
Beyer: 57
A 3-year-old first-time starter, this gelding raced greenly in traffic, split horses in the lane, and finished strongly in a race won by his stablemate. He might want more distance.