Free: Southern California horses to watch for week of July 4, 2022
LOS ALAMITOS
WORKDAY
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: July 1, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 3 3/4
Beyer: 51
Debut 2-year-old lacked speed, raced greenly from kickback, and finished evenly. Promising debut by California-bred son of Accelerate who can move way up next time out.
EDDIE’S LAST
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: July 1, 7th
Finish: 10 by 15
Beyer: 21
Debut 2-year-old worked well, but threw a wingding in gate, stumbled at start, dropped out, and trailed. Homebred by Square Eddie trained better than he ran. Worth following.
ABELIEFINTHISLIVIN
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: July 3, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 60
Debut 2-year-old by Arrogate, produced by sibling to champion filly Halfbridled, lagged off pace, took hold late, and finished willingly. May want longer. Promising bow nonetheless.
WIZARD OF WESTWOOD
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: July 3, 7th
Finish: 1st (dead heat)
Beyer: 66
Debut 2-year-old, built like long-bodied turf router, showed surprising speed to set pace, fought back, and battled to wire. Sharp win at five furlongs. Distance prospect down the road.
MARIE
Trainer: George Papaprodomou
Last race: July 4, 3rd
Finish: 3rd by 7
Beyer: 55
Pace-pressing claiming sprint mare unsettled in gate, broke slowly to trail, came wide, and plugged away through lane. Would benefit by class drop from $25K claiming to $12.5K.
CONTINENTAL DIVIDE
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: July 4, 4th
Finish: 3rd by 8
Beyer: 69
Veteran who won California-bred stakes at Del Mar in 2017 broke slowly and just went through motions. Claimed by Miller from Jim Cassidy. Can improve in Del Mar low claiming race.
CANDY CARAMEL
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: July 4, 8th
Finish: 5th by 9 1/2
Beyer: 48
Debut 2-year-old filly hit gate and broke slowly, raced wide near the back, and stayed there. Trained fast at San Luis Rey Downs. Candy Ride filly can improve second time out.
AIN’T EASY
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: July 4, 9th
Finish: 6th by 13 3/4
Beyer: 57
Grade 2 route winner last year as juvenile, 3-year-old filly completely misfired in Grade 2 sprint versus older. Bred for turf. Top stable may consider surface switch at Del Mar.