Free: Del Mar horses to watch for week of July 24, 2023
DR. VENKMAN
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: July 21, 2nd
Finish: 1st by 5 1/4
Beyer: 91
Debut 3-year-old worked well and ran accordingly. Forwardly placed wide over pro-outside track, ran away. Strong debut under advantageous conditions, figures as a N1X contender.
NORTH EAST STAR
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: July 21, 3rd
Finish: 5th by 4
Beyer: 61
Maiden turf miler a repeat horse-to-watch lister after nightmare trip. Midpack two wide, steadied quarter pole, blocked into lane, nowhere to go, never had a shot. Just an outright horrible trip.
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LIBERTY FOREVER
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: July 21, 6th
Finish: 8th by 3
Beyer: 73
Comeback turf sprinter off eight months tucked fourth on rail, waited for room quarter pole, shot inside, lost punch in better-than-looked comeback. Gelding should move up a ton next start back.
EBOK’S DREAM GIRL
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: July 22, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 1
Beyer: 53
Debut juvenile filly pressed inside, chased from fourth on rail, angled outside into lane, switched leads late between rivals, battled, tired. Solid debut by Cal-bred filly, contender second time out.
ASHLEY
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: July 22, 8th
Finish: 8th by 6
Beyer: 57
Debut filly broke from rail vs. pro-outside bias, dueled while under pressure, tired final furlong. Despite last-place finish, Into Mischief filly actually ran okay. Follow in special-weight sprint.
DONT FIGHT THE FED
Trainer: Antonio Garcia
Last race: July 23, 4th
Finish: 1st by nose
Beyer: 73
Cal-bred maiden improved stretching out. Pressed outside, minor contact top lane, first to wire, curiously disqualified for alleged interference. Questionable call, maiden headed right direction.
MIRACLE MARK
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: July 23, 8th
Finish: 7th by 9
Beyer: 45
Juvenile colt broke slowly in final work, and broke slowly in career debut. Off last, raced wide, ran around track. Sibling to Whitmore has more ability than shown, but must remedy gate habits.
I’M A GAMBLER
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: July 23, 9th
Finish: 3rd by 1
Beyer: 95
Off seven months, gelding ran super in mile turf stakes. Pressed pace outside, made lead quarter pole, battled to deep stretch, swallowed. Excellent comeback by turf miler, fits in graded stakes.
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