Free: Southern California horses to watch for week of June 27, 2022
Santa Anita
REDLINE
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: June 17, 3rd
Finish:1st by 1 1/2
Beyer: 77
Route-to-sprint 3-year-old won going away despite a troubled trip. Claimed for $75,000 by Sadler, 3 for 3 this year at one turn, closing sprinter was worth the money.
MACADAMIA
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: June 17, 7th
Finish: 4th by 3
Beyer: 82
Group 1 winner in Brazil, filly ran well in turf mile. Rail midpack, steadied quarter pole, evenly late. Decent comeback, might fit in restricted Osunitas Stakes July 23 at Del Mar.
BOLDEN
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: June 17, 9th
Finish: 1st by 7 3/4
Beyer: 103
Lightly raced colt dazzled in statebred allowance turf sprint. Sped to lead, widened late, lofty figure ranks among turf-sprint elite. Gets class test this summer at Del Mar.
CATHKIN PEAK
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: June 18, 8th
Finish: 1st by 3/4
Beyer: 95
Deep stable unleashed another stakes-caliber comebacker in allowance turf route. Off six months, smoked final three-eighths in 34.45 seconds, next stop Grade 2 Eddie Read.
CLUTCH HITTER
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: June 19, 9th
Finish: 5th by 10 1/4
Beyer: 67
Well-bred debut 3-year-old lacked speed, green early, saved ground, split rivals into lane, galloped out in front. Uncle Mo colt will race into shape, follow as he gains experience.
TRIPOLI
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: June 19, 11th
Finish: 4th by 2 1/2
Beyer: 88
Pacific Classic winner last year only prepping in Grade 3 turf mile. In traffic early and again far turn, finished okay. His best races have been on dirt, improvement likely.
Los Alamitos
WALL STREET TRADER
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: June 25, 4th
Finish: 1st by 14
Beyer: 79
First time in dirt route, vs. shallow $20,000 maiden-claiming foes, gelding set pace and dominated. Not much behind him, but vastly improved two turns. Follow vs. winners.
STRESSED
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Last race: June 25, 8th
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 75
Upper-level claiming filly did the dirty work setting pace in allowance sprint, put away rivals, collared by last-to-first winner. Honest front-runner always the one to catch.
– Brad Free