Free: Del Mar horses to watch for week of Aug. 23, 2021

BESTRELLA

Trainer: Paddy Gallagher

Last race: Aug. 19, race 5

Finish: 5^th by 1 1/2

Beyer: 74

Turf filly blocked from five-sixteenths pole to wire in restricted claiming route never had a chance to run. Impossible trip. Would have been right there with better racing luck.

BIG SWITCH

Trainer: John Sadler

Last race: Aug. 20, race 8

Finish: 1^st by 1 1/2

Beyer: 55

Large juvenile filly scored convincing debut win, more impressive than modest figure. Rated midfield, looped wide, ran away late, won geared down. Up the ladder.

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KEYCHAIN GIRL

Trainer: Mark Glatt

Last race: Aug. 21, race 1

Finish: 4^th by 6 1/2

Beyer: 57

Well-bet juvenile filly (listed 7-2, off at 2-1) broke slowly from rail, steadied, rushed inside to set fast pace, led to eighth pole, tired. Long gone next start with clean break.

DR POST

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Last race: Aug. 21, race 10

Finish: 3^rd by 5 3/4

Beyer: 97

New York shipper positioned next to last and going nowhere in Pacific Classic finally took hold far turn, rallied wide, and put in big finish in race dominated by speed. Sneaky good effort.

EXPRESS TRAIN

Trainer: John Shirreffs

Last race: Aug. 21, race 10

Finish: 6^th by 10 3/4

Beyer: 90

Pacific Classic favorite eliminated first turn when steadied and lost position. He needs to be forwardly placed. Could rebound in Grade 1 Awesome Again on Oct. 2 at Santa Anita.

VIAZAR

Trainer: Paddy Gallagher

Last race: Aug. 22, race 2

Finish: 2^nd by 2 1/2

Beyer: 76

Odds-on in turf route, starter allowance filly had no chance when she stayed inside and was blocked far turn and into lane with nowhere to go. Fourth straight runner-up finish, but horrible trip.

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TAISHAN

Trainer: Richard Baltas

Last race: Aug. 22, race 9

Finish: 5^th by 10 3/4

Beyer: 80

Loaded gate at 7-1, took ton of late money to start at 2.90-1, broke slowly and was eliminated. Pace-pressing second-level allowance colt best when forwardly placed. Toss race.