Free: Del Mar horses to watch for week of July 31, 2023
DEL MAR
MIDNIGHT FURY
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: July 28, 1st
Finish: 4th by 2
Beyer: 66
This dirt-sprint maiden seemed uncomfortable moving to turf. Produced less speed than dirt starts, flattened out late. Worth following when returns to dirt. Class drop would be beneficial.
SEVEN WONDERS
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Last race: July 28, 3rd
Finish: 3rd by 5
Beyer: 83
A mile and three-eighths was out of reach for entry-level allowance 4-year-old. Forwardly placed, lost punch deep stretch. Pace-pressing turf horse prefers shorter trip, maintains solid current form.
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MAXVILLE
Trainer: Antonio Garcia
Last race: July 28, 5th
Finish: 4th by 1 1/2
Beyer: 69
Turf maiden flew late - 23.96 final quarter fastest finish in race and best effort of gelding’s three-start career. With pace to run at next time out, late-runner can win Cal-bred maiden turf route.
HEARTLAND
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: July 29, 1st
Finish: 1st by 2
Beyer: 90
Flashy debut by well-bred 2-year-old colt. Ducked inward, raced greenly, took dirt, rallied inside, shot up rail, crushed in fast time. Justify sibling to Classic Empire seems the real deal.
ONLY ONE AMERICA
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: July 29, 3rd
Finish: 8th by 14
Stuck twice on also-eligible list vs. fillies, 2-year-old debuted vs. colts, bombed as favorite. Chased pace in traffic, wilted. She trained better than she ran, follow vs. statebred fillies.
BLUE OASIS
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Last race: July 29, 5th
Finish: 5th by 2
Beyer: 53
Debut 2-year-old filly by War Front pressed/chased fast pace in turf mile, made lead into lane, hung tough to deep stretch, tired. Promising debut in a race dominated by late-runners.
ENDLESSLY
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: July 30, 2nd
Finish: 1st by 2 1/4
Beyer: 47
Debut 2-year-old colt debuted in turf mile, forwardly placed behind slow pace, waited, split foes, impressive burst, won full stride. Oscar Performance colt ran better visually than the low fig.
BARBARA T
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: July 30, 8th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 73
Debut 2-year-old filly set pace, hounded throughout, shook off favorite, cleared at eighth pole, collared late, finished more than four lengths clear of third. Super effort by Army Mule filly.
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