Free's Southern California Horses to Watch for week of Oct. 26
Brad Free's Southern California Horses to Watch for the week of Oct. 26.
DREFONG
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Oct. 24, 2nd
Finish: 5th by 4 3/4
Beyer: 60
Favored first out, this 2-year-old colt broke last from the rail, rushed inside, chased behind runners, angled wide into the lane, raced greenly, and tired. He should improve a ton next out.
HOFFENHEIM
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Oct. 24, 2nd
Finish: 3rd by 4 1/2
Beyer: 60
Void of speed, this 2-year-old colt broke slowly, trailed, rallied inside, and galloped out superbly past the wire. This was a promising debut by a colt who wants to run long.
WIN THE SPACE
Trainer: George Papaprodromou
Last race: Oct. 25, 7th
Finish: 1st by 4 1/4
Beyer: 86
A Tapit 3-year-old, he dropped from Grade 2 company and won impressively in this N1X route. This sibling to Grade 3 winner House Rules has a bright future if he avoids being tossed back with the wolves.
CASS IN STONE
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Oct. 25, 9th
Finish: 1st by 4 3/4
Beyer: 78
Expected to improve for his new trainer, this gelding did just that by crushing a maiden-20 with a good figure that makes him a contender right back in a maiden-claiming starter.
QATAR’S PEARL
Trainer: David Bernstein
Last race: Oct. 25, 6th
Finish: 4th by 7
Beyer: 64
Entered “not to be claimed” in his return from eight months off, this older claiming gelding ran well and should improve second start back in a similar $8,000 claiming route.