Free: Del Mar horses to watch for week of Aug. 17, 2020
RUN SNAPPY
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Aug. 14, 3rd
Finish: 5th by 4 1/2
Beyer: 49
Debut 2-year-old broke from rail in turf sprint, shuffled early, angled out for lane, lugged in, finished well. Better-that-looked debut by Runhappy sibling to three stakes winners.
OPERATIC
Trainer: Bob Hess Jr.
Last race: Aug. 14, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 4 3/4
Beyer: 69
Claiming mare bogged down in traffic in dirt route, had to wait inside while winner controlled the pace, finished four lengths clear of third. Operatic fits next filly-mare claiming route.
ZEE DROP
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Aug. 14, 5th
Finish: 4th by 1
Beyer: 88
Improved effort second start following layoff. Turf filly trailed field, lost ground rallying wide, finished fast outside. Sharp effort. Contender if runs back N2X turf mile on Sept. 5.
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SEICHE
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Aug. 15, 2nd
Finish: 3rd by 2 3/4
Beyer: 76
Promising debut by 3-year-old maiden. Lacked speed from rail, raced greenly trailing field, middle move on turn, blocked on rail in lane, finished well. Excellent career debut.
MYLITTLERUNAWAY
Trainer: O.J. Jauregui
Last race: Aug. 16, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 2 3/4
Beyer: 74
Turf-synthetic filly switched to dirt, ran well in starter allowance route. Set pace, set solid fractions, shook off rivals, worn down by closers. Long gone next time? Any surface.
HOT ON THE TRAIL
Trainer: Gary Stute
Last race: Aug. 16, 8th
Finish: 4th by 5 1/4
Beyer: 71
Making fourth start of meet, late-running sprinter was out of sorts in turf route and basically ran in place. Prefers one turn. Wants to sit back and rally late in Cal-bred sprint.
DEFUNDED
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Aug. 16, 9th
Finish: 3rd by 6 1/2
Beyer: 51
Debut 2-year-old fractious at gate, not quick from rail, shuffled slightly on turn, waited, finished evenly. Promising debut by Defunded and also runner-up North Pole.