Free's preview: Good-looking juveniles

Thursday, May 1 preview

RACE 1 BABIES

The 2-year-olds are coming out, and the card begins with the second juvenile race of the meet. Mike Harrington trained April 25 beaten favorite City Ride in the first race for 2-year-olds. Harrington tries again Thursday with Saturday Yodeler.

Saturday Yodeler has fast works for Harrington at Los Alamitos; he is a full brother to Harrington-trained 2-year-old debut winner Hi Ho Yodeler. Saturday Yodeler reportedly worked in company with City Ride, whose off-the-board finish last week was partly the result of a bad trip.

One of Saturday Yodeler's rivals is London Legacy, a firster trained by Walther Solis. London Legacy is the first starter by low-cost stallion Grace Upon Grace ($2,000) and has shown speed in morning works.

The 2-1 program favorite is a first-time starter drawn outside, Wake Up Nick, who was sired by the late stallion Cindago. Doug O’Neill trains Wake Up Nick, bred by Lee and Susan Searing, whose Candy Boy runs Saturday in the Kentucky Derby.

Wake Up Nick, a colt is owned by J. Paul Reddam and partners, makes his debut with sizzling workouts. If the two aforementioned first-timers in posts 1-2 show speed, Wake Up Nick faces a potential three-wide trip.

SPECIAL-WEIGHT MAIDENS

Shapely and Front Range both ran well first out, finishing second and third, respectively. Both are stretching to a route off only a single sprint prep. That can be difficult.

Shapely adds Lasix, has trained well since her debut for trainer Ron Ellis, and should make a forward move. Her 2-1 program price is no bargain, but she did make the horses-to-watch list first out.

Front Range finished third as the even-money favorite in her debut. Can’t love that effort, can’t knock it, either. So is it Shapely, or 5-2 co-second choice Front Range? Shapely is the right call at an underlay price.

STANDOUT

Got chalk? Race 6 is a second-level allowance for fillies and mares on turf, and Rhagori appears to be a standout. She won her U.S. debut in stylish fashion, then followed with a runner-up finish behind Wilshire contender Theatre Star.

Trained by Simon Callaghan, Rhagori will be ridden by Rafael Bejarano and is listed at 9-5. The 7-2 second favorite is front-runner One Time Only, while Silver Hustler goes first off the claim by Carla Gaines at the tempting price of 8-1. All things being equal, Rhagori should win.

SPOT PLAYS

Race 1

LONDON LEGACY (#1, 3-1) and SATURDAY YODELER (#2, 3-1) are 2-year-olds that drew the inside posts in this 4 1/2-furlong dash. Assuming favorite Wake Up Nick is overbet from the outside, either can win.

Race 6

RHAGORI (#6, 9-5) ran well in both her U.S. starts, including a runner-up finish at this N2X level. On paper, she is a low-odds standout.