Free: Southern California horses to watch for week of Dec. 5, 2022
TOM’S X S
Trainer: Jim Cassidy
Last race: Dec. 2, race 4
Finish: Second by neck
Beyer: 57
Debut 4-year-old gelding broke slowly in Cal-bred maiden turf sprint, lacked speed, rallied three wide on turn, switched leads midstretch, finished well, likely best. Promising debut.
WHIMSICAL HEIR
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Dec. 3, race 4
Finish: Third by five and one-quarter lengths
Beyer: 66
Debut 4-year-old filly pressed pace three wide in Cal-bred maiden sprint, wider into lane, tired. Race won by rail-skimming favorite. Maidens from this stable improve with racing.
:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports
WHATMAKESSAMMYRUN
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Dec. 3, race 5
Finish: Second by two and one-quarter lengths
Beyer: 90
Five furlongs too short for turf sprinter. Lacked speed, saved ground, waited behind rival, finished evenly. Ideal prep for G3 Joe Hernandez Stakes on Santa Anita hillside Dec. 31.
THEBESTISYETTOBE
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Dec. 3, race 7
Finish: Sixth by three and three-quarter lengths
Beyer: 64
Tough trip for juvenile filly in G3 turf mile. Hopped and broke last, raced three and four wide throughout, lost punch. Eligible to N1X or Blue Norther Stakes Dec. 27 at Santa Anita.
CARVER
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Dec. 4, race 1
Finish: Third by two and three-quarter lengths
Beyer: 72
Older maiden improved in second start in turf mile. Set pace, hounded from outside, briefly shook away as pace rival faded to last, weakened. Carver could be long gone next out.
HAWKER
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Dec. 4, race 3
Finish: Fifth by two lengths
Beyer: 58
Well-bred 2-year-old maiden ran well in turf mile comeback. Broke first, rated third on rail, blocked full of run in final quarter-mile, finished well inside. Ready for maiden win.
AH JEEZ
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Dec. 4, race 5
Finish: Fourth by three and one-quarter lengths
Beyer: 71
Juvenile sprinter rated midpack in G3 turf mile, blocked far turn and into lane, finished fairly well. He might prefer one turn, but ran well under compromising circumstances.
HUDSON RIDGE
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Dec. 4, race 9
Finish: Fifth by three lengths
Beyer: 85
Comebacker making first start since being gelded ran well in N2X turf route. Rated near rear, anchored until top of lane, finished well in traffic. Fresh for Santa Anita winter.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.