Brad Free's Del Mar Horses to Watch for week of Sept. 3-7, 2026
IT’S THE BANDIT
Trainer: Brian Cunningham
Last race: Sept. 3, 3rd
Finish: 3rd by 11 1/2
Beyer: 43
Gelding improved dropping to $12,500 maiden-claiming Cal-bred route. Set pace into lane, hung tough as only front-runner to stick around. Might prefer shorter, but at least found his class level.
KNAVE OF HEARTS
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Sept. 3, 5th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 82
Stretching to a route off one sprint, 3-year-old maiden ran well. Settled in fourth, waited, angled out, tried hard, finished nearly five lengths clear of third. Next time for Knave of Hearts.
DAYTONA DIAMOND
Trainer: Carla Gaines
Last race: Sept. 4, 6th
Finish: 1st by 1/2
Beyer: 56
Odds-on in stakes for Cal-bred 2-year-old fillies, bobbled and was away last, extended rally on turn and into lane, inched clear late. This win by 2-for-2 filly was much better than the low fig.
SINGLE VISION
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Sept. 4, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 2
Beyer: 57
Debut 2-year-old colt broke last to trail early in turf mile, began rail rally on far turn, hit heavy traffic into and through stretch, and finished well. Justify colt appears a true route horse, this debut was terrific.
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KIVO
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Sept. 4, 7th
Finish: 5th by 2 3/4
Beyer: 56
Debut 2-year-old colt saved ground midpack in maiden turf mile, was blocked on far turn and also into the lane, searched for seam, in tight deep stretch. Tough trip for colt sired by Omaha Beach.
SHAMROCK GLITTER
Trainer: Neil Drysdale
Last race: Sept. 5, 4th
Finish: 4th by 2 1/4
Beyer: 87
First-time gelding set blistering pace in N1X turf route (45.28 and 1:09.33), led to eighth pole, then tired. This was an improved effort by turf sprinter who could be tough shortening up in fall at Santa Anita.
SHADOW NATION
Trainer: Mike Puype
Last race: Sept. 5, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 3/4
Beyer: 62
Off three months since debut sprint win, 2-year-old needed start in turf route stakes. Raced midpack, was going evenly late, and was blowing hard afterward. Shadow Nation fits in Zuma Beach Stakes Oct. 4 at Santa Anita.
D’YQUEM
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Sept. 5, 9th
Finish: 3rd by 2
Beyer: 43
Debut 2-year-old filly set/pressed pace in maiden turf mile, battled back inside winner in stretch, then tired late. Solid debut by Golden Pal filly who will be a tighter filly when she makes second start.
PROSPECT OF LOVE
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Sept. 6, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 9 1/4
Beyer: 52
Debut 2-year-old filly stumbled and lost position at start, raced inside in midfield, angled out for stretch run, then finished evenly behind runaway winner. Prospect of Love ran much better than low figure suggests.
TIGER LUCK
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Last race: Sept. 7, 1st
Finish: 5th by 4 1/2
Beyer: 46
Second-start 2-year-old raced midfield in maiden turf route, was stymied while blocked far turn, finished well, galloped out well. This effort was better than it looks. Follow vs. Cal-bred maidens.
THE LOAN EXCHANGE
Trainer: Antonio Garcia
Last race: Sept. 7, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 1
Beyer: 69
Shuffled back in Cal-bred allowance turf sprint, saved ground midfield, angled out for drive, finished well in race dominated by two front-runners. Lightly raced filly might have been best.
PARKER’S CANDY
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: Sept. 7, 11th
Finish: 9th by 3 1/2
Beyer: 67
Maiden 3-year-old pressed three wide in turf route, shook off pace rivals, led to furlong pole, and weakened. Not a good trip for turf route. Twirling Candy colt is better than this, and also can sprint.
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