Brad Free's Southern California horses to watch from July 8-9, 2023
ELIGIO
Trainer: Phil Oviedo
Last race: July 8, 1st
Finish: 2nd by nose
Beyer: 66
Debut 2-year-old broke last, lost ground rallying wide, loomed at top of lane, lugged in, bumped rival, had race won, and got collared in relatively fast $50,000 maiden-claiming sprint. Tough beat.
BENEDETTA
Trainer: Simon Callaghan
Last race: July 8, 3rd
Finish: 1st by 3
Beyer: 71
Well-regarded 2-year-old filly by City of Light bet to odds-on, bumped at start, set pace, and cruised without being asked. Would be a contender in Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes on Aug. 12 at Del Mar.
TAMBO
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Last race: July 8, 3rd
Finish: 2nd by 3
Beyer: 63
Debut 2-year-old filly from stable that races them into shape rather than fire first out, daughter of first-crop sire Enticed ran well. Chased odds-on winner, finished well clear of third, solid debut.
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DON’T JU FORGET
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: July 8, 8th
Finish: 2nd by 3/4
Beyer: 83
California-bred filly making first start in seven months ran super in statebred allowance. Raced wide and chased odds-on winner in solid comeback. Don’t Ju Forget ran well at Del Mar the last two summer meets.
SMART MO
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: July 8, 9th
Finish: 5th by 12
Beyer: 73
Fast debut winner tried $125,000 stakes, lost chance at break. Slipped when gates opened, off slowly, lost ground, and coasted home in toss-out performance. Fits in entry-level allowance route.
PRINCE OF MONACO
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: July 9, 2nd
Finish: 1st by 8
Beyer: 81
Well-regarded 2-year-old colt by Speightstown pressed three rivals from outside post, galloped home with plenty in the tank. Modest foes, but impressive debut. Summertime stakes candidate.
HANDY DANDY
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: July 9, 7th
Finish: 1st by 2
Beyer: 89
This was a sharp comeback by starter-allowance gelding. Forwardly placed, rallied wide, floated out in lane, won as best. Handy Dandy won minor turf stakes last year at Del Mar, follow versus better.
STRAIGHTEN UP
Trainer: Mike Puype
Last race: July 9, 8th
Finish: 6th by 18 1/2
Beyer: 32
Comeback sprinter worked well, but got banged at break, shuffled, found himself behind rivals, and lost interest. This comeback was a toss, merits consideration in California-bred allowance at Del Mar.
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