Free: Del Mar horses to watch for week of Aug. 2, 2021
AMERICAN BOURBON
Trainer: Jonathan Wong
Last race: July 29, race 6
Finish: 5th by 4 3/4
Beyer: 65
Front-running filly victim of anti-speed profile on turf course. First start in two months, sped clear, led to deep stretch, faltered. Follow in grass route for 3-year-old claiming fillies.
FINNLEY’S KITTEN
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Last race: July 30, race 1
Finish: 4th by 5 1/4
Beyer: 64
First-time starter in turf route showed promise. Rail trip, shuffled back far turn, angled out, finished well, galloped out well. Cal-bred by Kitten’s Joy can win maiden race soon.
GRACE ADLER
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: July 31, race 2
Finish: 1st by 3/4
Beyer: 69
Curlin 2-year-old at five furlongs emerged as a top prospect. Popped gate, wide midpack, quick move to engage at quarter pole, was just getting warmed up at wire. Wants longer.
POSITIVITY
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: July 31, race 8
Finish: First by five and one-half lengths
Beyer: 89
Timely $50k claim by O’Neill from Paddy Gallagher. Cal-bred stakes-winner dropped in for tag, pressed pace, ran away late, earned career-best fig. Worth more than claim price.
K P ALL SYSTEMS GO
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: July 31, race 9
Finish: 7th by 5
Beyer: 78
Second-level allowance turf horse employed curious strategy. Trailed as usual, made premature move and zoomed last to first on backstretch, faltered late. Odd trip. Needs patient handling.
URBAN
Trainer: Simon Callaghan
Last race: Aug. 1, race 2
Finish: 3rd by 3
Beyer: 59
Two-year-old debut filly by Quality Road broke well in turf sprint, green early, dropped back, reached contention on turn, angled out, evenly late. Should move up a ton next out.
PINEHURST
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Aug. 1, race 3
Finish: 1st by 1/2
Beyer: 82
Two-year-old colt only the second horse this meet to win dirt sprint from rail. Bumped start, showed inside speed, dueled, won more convincingly than margin. Del Mar Futurity-bound?
ZERO TOLERANCE
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: Aug. 1, race 4
Finish: 2nd by nose
Beyer: 72
Debut 3-year-old filly was tons best in turf sprint. Steadied early, rank, tight path on turn, blocked in lane, split foes, surged. Super debut by Mizzen Mast sib to Grade 1 winner.