Free: Del Mar horses to watch for week of Aug. 9, 2021
SECRET SQUARE
Trainer: Kristin Mulhall
Last race: Aug. 5, race 1
Finish: 1st by 10
Beyer: 92
In first start since trainer switch, front-runner trounced $8,000 claiming fillies and mares with a superior figure. Del Mar horse for course can repeat moving up multiple levels.
KAZUHIKO
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Aug. 6, race 1
Finish: 3rd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 74
Group 3-placed Australian import ran well in maiden turf sprint. Broke slowly, blocked in traffic in lane, switched out, finished well. Well-regarded older maiden wants longer.
BIG NOVEL
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Aug. 6, race 5
Finish: 2nd by 7 1/2
Beyer: 60
Fast-working debut 2-year-old filly away slowly, made middle move, chased runaway winner. Could have made it a race with clean break. Should be tough in Cal-bred maiden race.
SMASH TICKET
Trainer: Todd Fincher
Last race: Aug. 6, race 7
Finish: 3rd by 13 3/4
Beyer: 55
Favored in Grade 2 for juvenile fillies, she broke slowly again, steadied at half, and had an impossible trip. Likely to be freshened in Southwest. One to follow later this year and early 2022.
HAY JUAN
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Aug. 7, race 6
Finish: 4th by 4 1/4
Beyer: 45
Debut 2-year-old sped to lead, opened up on strong pace, hit a wall final furlong. Front-running Cal-bred maidens tough next time with a race under his belt.
CASTLE
Trainer: Kristin Mulhall
Last race: Aug. 8, race 3
Finish: 3rd by 1 1/2
Beyer: 75
Tough trip as favorite in Cal-bred allowance optional-claiming turf sprint. Fourth on rail, steadied on turn, re-rallied. Claimed for $20,000 by Mulhall, fits in Cal-bred turf sprint.
RESPECT THE CODE
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: Aug. 8, race 4
Finish: 1st by 5 1/2
Beyer: 66
Second-start 2-year-old ran super in $80,000 maiden-claiming sprint. Shot to lead, set fast pace, widened late. Win was visually more impressive than speed figure. Up the ladder.