Del Mar
Free: Del Mar horses to watch for week of Aug. 20, 2018
DATA HAWK
Trainer: Tim McCanna
Last race: Aug. 15, 1st
Finish: 4th by 12 1/2
Beyer: 45
Debut 2-year-old raced greenly while climbing and tossing his head in the air, dropped back to near last, came with a wide rally into the lane, and finished willingly in a much-better-than-looked debut.
SNEAKING OUT
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Last race: Aug. 15, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/2
Beyer: 68
Debut 2-year-old filly saved ground inside, dropped back to fourth, and re-rallied to narrow the gap late while finishing six lengths clear of third. Solid effort first time out.
UNUSUAL RIDER
Trainer: Mike Puype
Last race: Aug. 16, 1st
Finish: 3rd by 6
Beyer: 35
A well-bet 2-year-old colt debuting in a Cal-bred maiden turf route, he got keen pressing the pace, battled to the eighth pole, and tired. Sibling to stakes winner Pulpit Rider sure to improve.
PUSH THROUGH
Trainer: Ed Freeman
Last race: Aug. 17, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 1
Beyer: 71
Odds-on in turf mile for Cal-bred maidens, this 3-year-old was compromised by a wide trip. He was four and five wide on the far turn, wider into the lane, kept grinding, and missed. He deserved better.
ROMAN ROSSO
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Aug. 18, 10th
Finish: 4th by 19 1/2
Beyer: 89
An Argentine Group 1 winner making his U.S. debut in the Pacific Classic following a five-month layoff, he surprisingly set the pace before fading on the far turn. Useful prep. One to follow.
MAGICAL GRAY
Trainer: Victor Garcia
Last race: Aug. 19, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 2
Beyer: 65
A debut 3-year-old filly in a turf sprint, she set fast fractions inside, shook off her pace rivals, and was collared late in a promising debut. Tough to catch next time out.
SMILING ANNIE
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Aug. 19, 7th
Finish: 8th by 13 3/4
Beyer: 39
Favored to win a Cal-bred maiden race first out, this 3-year-old sister to Grade 2 winner Blackjackcat got slammed at the break, dropped back, and seemed uncomfortable. Give her another shot.