Brad Free's Southern California horses to watch from June 16-25, 2023
SANTA ANITA
BRUNCH WITH AMY
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: June 16, 2nd
Finish: 3rd by 1 3/4
Beyer: 45
Promising debut by 2-year-old filly, who was outrun early, lagged off pace, picked up steam into lane, finished well, and galloped out with run. Bernardini filly wants farther than five furlongs.
TURN ON THE JETS
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: June 16, 3rd
Finish: 4th by 1
Beyer: 91
Turf-sprint stakes winner had a tough trip in allowance comeback. Bobbled, steadied, shuffled early, blocked on turn, cut corner, evenly late, and ran better than looked in first start since December.
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FREEDOM LASS
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: June 17, 4th
Finish: 3rd by 2
Byer: 77
Odds-on comebacker hopped at start, broke last, hard-held, blocked far turn, angled out, and finished well while likely best in starter-allowance turf mile. Fits against similar at Del Mar summer meet.
MUTH
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: June 18, 2nd
Finish: 1st by 9 3/4
Beyer: 87
Debut 2-year-old colt by Good Magic dazzled. Odds-on favorite broke running, set pace, and won with plenty left. Potential star. Would likely be favored in Grade 3 Best Pal on Aug. 14 at Del Mar.
KLEEN KARMA
Trainer: Craig Lewis
Last race: June 18, 7th
Finish: 4th by 1 3/4
Beyer: 69
Veteran mare void of speed in California-bred turf sprint, anchored, angled out for drive, and finished well against the race flow. Late-runner may prefer two turns, fits in similar California-bred turf allowance.
ALVINA
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: June 18, 11th
Finish: 4th by 4
Beyer: 75
French import broke slowly in N1X turf sprint, ran up on heels, rated, three wide and four wide on turn, and finished steadily in respectable U.S. debut. Certain to improve in her next local start.
HULA CANDY
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: June 18, 12th
Finish: 7th by 3 3/4
Beyer: 68
Repeat “horse to watch” ran well in maiden turf mile. Sandwiched and off slowly, clipped heels, far back, 22.84 final quarter in race won by pacesetter. Maiden 5-year-old fits in maiden turf route.
LOS ALAMITOS
RILEY
Trainer: Gary Stute
Last race: June 23, 1st
Finish: 2nd by 6
Beyer: 80
Away 13 months, this late-running sprinter ran well. Broke slowly, raced wide, finished evenly behind romping winner. Solid comeback, will be a contender in similar starter-allowance sprint.
LUKA GRAZIE
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: June 13, 3rd
Finish: 3rd by 4 1/4
Beyer: 58
Comeback maiden lost all chance when he tossed his head, away last, lost ground racing wide, and was evenly late. Ran well last year at Del Mar in California-bred maiden turf routes, can improve next out.
TEMBO
Trainer: Steve Knapp
Last race: June 24, 6th
Finish: 1st by 2
Beyer: 69
Class dropper dominated low-level claiming sprint and was claimed by Knapp from Steve Miyadi. Gelding enters summer in peak form for stable having a career-best season.
WICKLINE
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: June 25, 7th
Finish: 1st by 1
Beyer: 86
Heavily favored debut 3-year-old pressed early, made lead two wide, set fast pace, challenged from inside, fought back, and was best. Promising debut by strapping son of Twirling Candy.
WILL BE
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: June 25, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 2
Beyer: 82
Debut gelding set pace early, chased from second while saving ground, challenged odds-on favorite in stretch, and was second-best while finishing more than three lengths clear of third. Nice debut.
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