Free: Del Mar horses to watch for week of Aug. 31
COACH Q
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Aug. 26, 3rd
Finish: 5th by 6 1/2
Beyer: 53
This 2-year-old was off slowly and finished evenly to split the field in a solid debut at one mile. By Super Saver, he is a sibling to graded winner Fiftyshadesofhay.
SMOOTH ROLLER
Trainer: Victor Garcia
Last race: Aug. 26, 7th
Finish: 4th by 1 1/4
Beyer: 93
A gelding making just his third start, he had a tough trip in a stakes. Fractious at the gate, stumbled, made a run, missed by only 1 1/4 lengths. This was a super effort.
DON’T TELL JUDY
Trainer: Kory Owens
Last race: Aug. 29, 10th
Finish: 4th by 11 1/2
Beyer: 46
A 3-year-old filly making her debut, she steadied at the start and on the backstretch, chased, and faded. Sired by Rocky Bar and a sibling to two stakes winners, she can improve the second time out.
GOLD JOURNEY
Trainer: Kathy Walsh
Last race: Aug. 29, 7th
Finish: lost rider
Beyer: None
Another in a season-long series of gate mishaps, this well-backed filly lost her rider at the break while being held onto by a member of the gate crew. Nonetheless, she was ruled an official starter.
ITSINTHEPOST
Trainer: Darrell Vienna
Last race: Aug. 30, 7th
Finish: 5th by 3 1/2 lengths
Beyer: 77
An improving 3-year-old turf horse, he got stalled in traffic nearing the quarter pole, had to wait for room, then finished with run and galloped out alongside the winner. Sneaky-good try.