Free: Del Mar horses to watch for week of Aug. 8, 2022
LA PEER
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Aug. 4, race 1
Finish: 5th by 2 1/4
Beyer: 41
Debut 2-year-old filly in turf sprint outrun early, uncorked middle move saving ground through turn, blocked behind foes in traffic final furlong. Promising debut by Girvin filly.
HERO STATUS
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Aug. 4, race 4
Finish: 2nd by head
Beyer: 81
Repeat horse-to-watch older maiden was best in dirt mile. Passively ridden three wide, lost position, shuffled to last into far turn, six wide into lane, narrowed gap late.
DUBAI KEY
Trainer: Amador Sanchez
Last race: Aug. 6, race 3
Finish: 1st by 3/4
Beyer: 92
Stakes caliber in Chile, allowance caliber in Florida, 8-for-13 pro ran super in allowance turf sprint. Set pace, took heat, shook off pace foe, held. G3 Green Flash on Sept. 4 next?
HAWKER
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Aug. 6, race 5
Finish: 2nd by neck
Beyer: 76
Well-regarded 2-year-old Justify colt raced greenly while climbing early in a dirt sprint, lost ground racing wide through turn, took aim outside, finished well in promising debut.
THE CHOSEN VRON
Trainer: Eric Kruljac
Last race: Aug. 6, race 10
Finish: 3rd by head
Beyer: 87
First start since November, gelding ran super in Cal-bred turf mile stakes. Tucked inside while keen and rank, fifth on rail, split foes late, surged, missed, excellent comeback.
MUCINO
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Aug. 7, race 3
Finish: 4th by 2 3/4
Beyer: 60
Two-year-old colt by Nyquist debuted in turf mile. Third or fourth on rail, blocked behind runners into lane, briefly appeared uncertain, finished willingly in solid career debut.
AMERICAN CAT
Trainer: Dean Pederson
Last race: Aug. 7, race 4
Finish: 4th by 6
Beyer: 73
Older gelding making debut vs. heavily favored stablemate in Cal-bred maiden sprint, pressed strong pace and held fourth. Fast race. Promising career launch. Should improve.
WORSE READ SANCHEZ
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Aug. 7, race 7
Finish: 9th by 4 1/4
Beyer: 72
Favored in turf mile, first-time gelding had no shot. Rated inside at back, blocked into and through far turn, not asked for best in lane, finished evenly. Much better than looks.