HORSE TO WATCH LIST

Horses entered on this list are horses that caught our handicappers and/or clockers eye with a better-than-looked performance. They should be followed when they are entered in a upcoming race!

Comments will remain posted through the conclusion of the meet.

DEL MAR SUMMER MEET

SATURDAY, JULY 20

R1 Big Spin (#4) awkward break and raced well behind field to lose contact early, made up some ground but the start really hurt this gelding. Draw line through this race.

R2 Getaway Car (#4) power-housed way home in maiden debut win under Hernandez. Son of Curlin did everything right and looks to have a bright future for Baffert.

R6 Cayucos (#2) didn't break all that sharply under Frey but made the lead and looked good in maiden debut win. Filly just handled confidently throughout in eye catching win. Follow.

R6 America's Mark (#3) acted up in gate and was a scratch by vet.

R7 King of Gosford (#3) rated nicely behind pace, was in tight and checked and steadied on turn, raced behind rivals through stretch with no racing room until too late. Toss this race and give another look next time.

SUNDAY, JULY 21

R1 Exaulted (#4) what happened to this seven-year-old? Little hot going to gate, in contention down backside and pushed on turn offered no response at all while backing up through lane. Very disappointing effort. Use caution next time and we'd think we'd see a class drop next time.

R3 Gypsy Woman (#3) broke sharp, taken back and rated, pulled while rank down backside, stuck inside behind horses on turn, continued blocked behind horses through stretch, found room late to finish full of run. Follow.

R4 Casalu (#2) very impressive debut win for Baffert. Filly has talent and deserves to be followed.

R4 Acquitted (#7) broke okay and allowed to settle under Fresu, improved position with a nice stretch run. Filly likely needed this start for Richard Mandella and should improve next time.

R5 Sarwar (#9) delayed the start while getting shoe repaired in the paddock, broke okay and made a pre-mature wide move under Rispoli down backside. Flattened out and quickly backed-up. Toss this race.

R8 Nyce Going (#2) was reluctant to load in maiden debut, broke okay, sent to engage for the lead, battled and took lead and gamely dug in to fight off rival. Follow this one.

THURSDAY, JULY 25

R4 Captain Choochies (#5) reared in gate but not reloaded, broke slowly and was never in it in a rare dull effort under Rispoli. expected better from gelding despite being winless in thirteen starts. Draw line through this race.

FRIDAY, JULY 26

R1 Recycleyourheart (#2) broke step slow, steadied at rail on turn, continued inside and finished up nicely for third. Follow.

R1 Newport Dreamz (#6) dumped rider coming on to the track and ran off. Late scratch.

R3 Shea Brennan (#3) broke slowly, raced well back early on, began longated rally to win going away in a impressive maiden debut win. Follow.

R4 A Day to Remember (#7) broke step slow, sent to engage, sat second behind a uncontested leader and couldn't run down late while blowing the place. Goes better next time with comeback race under his belt.

R7 Back On Track (#3) wipped out a break when rival came over onto him, rider almost came off, well back early but closed steady ground through the stretch for 4th in a better-than-looked effort. Outran his odds here.

SATURDAY, JULY 27

R1 Usha (#4) heavy favorite was restless in maiden debut for Baffert. Broke a step slow and battled in game try. Improves off this race next time.

R11 Willa T ( #10) broke through gate before start and had to be reloaded. Nothing from filly after.

SUNDAY, JULY 28

R5 Give Me the Lute (#8) hard knocking eight-year-old fired bullet here for third place finish. Getting mileage on him now and may need a dip in class. Always a threat at right level.

R7 Glorious Life (#4) fired in return, second best behind stablemate. Will go better next time with a race under his belt. Colt has talent and should be followed.

R9 Johannes (#9) colt is ultra sharp and looked good late while striding out under Rispoli for a sharp win. Should be able to stretch out.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1

R1 How About Pavel (#4) get the feeling this filly wants two turns. Last two has should improved speed, we'll wait for the two-turn baby races now with her.

R2 Bright Leaf (#7) how much the best was this guy? Wide every step of the way and drew off to win for fun. Interesting to see where he goes next.

R3 Girlcanthelpit (#6) hopelessly left at the break, filly raced well back early on, began rally on backside and continued closing ground through the lane for a visually impressive effort here. Was getting to the winner late. Follow.

R8 Aurelian Man (#8) raced inside down backside and on turn, made nice move advancing forward midway on turn, got shutoff behind a tiring rival and shuffled back to last to lose all chance. Found room in lane to finish full of run. Follow!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2

R3 Scipio (#6) acted up at the gate and was away slowly, colt gathered himself nicely under Rispoli and did finish well. Will improve next time with a race now under his belt.

R7 Chrome Dessert (#5) was acting up in the paddock and became unruly. Scratched by stewards.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3

R1 Jack's Magic Girl (#7) nice looking maiden debut win here for O J Jauregui. Filly won here with a nice explosive late kick and showed plenty of talent. Follow.

R3 Known Idea (#1) broke thru the gate and ran off under Hernandez. Was brought back and colt resisted being re-loaded and was scratched at the gate.

R5 Johnny Podres (#2) unlucky loser here with a solid runner-up effort. Son of Grazen got going too late and was finishing solidly. Better with more real estate.

R8 Full Serrano (#1) Berrios put five-year-old on lead in North American debut and he responded after setting some serious fractions. Could be useful around these parts. Follow.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4

R2 Wine On Tap (#3) invader from Richard Mandella stable hadn't

been seen since October 2023. Solid drills for return, filly looked to need this start and will improve next time with a race under her belt.

R3 Grainne O'Malley (#8) and Conquest Celsius (#10) both carried extremely wide into stretch to lose all chance.

R6 Seattle Surf (#1) gelding freaked out inside gate and had to be backed out. Was late vet scratch. Last Call Paul (#3) waisted a perfect trip and ride by Santiago Gonzalez. Got to lead and waited on rival which got him beat. Hard to play this gelding back.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8

R4 Envisioned (#3) filly was reluctant to load. Draw line through this race.

R6 It's My World (#5) away a step slow. Turned in okay effort after for third. Follow.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9

R3 September Magic (#1) filly was impressive in maiden debut win for Tim Yakteen. Powerful run inside, very polished for a three-year-old. Looks to have a bright future and should be followed.

R7 The Gypsy Cowboy (#2) didn't break all that well and raced far back early on, finished nicely late. Steve Knapp trainee is capable of improvement next out.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10

R2 Time to Party (#2) late scratch by vet in post parade.

R5 Nooni (#1) sharp win in The Sorrento. Baffert runner is talented and still learning the game. Follow.

R8 Anisette (#2) talented filly allowed to settle, began rally on turn, swung out and brought inside for drive, found room between horses and won going away. Follow.

R10 Queen Maxima (#1) broke slowly, awkwardly, quickly found stride to race inside behind horses, patiently handled inside, accelerated when finding seam and won going away. Jeff Mullins filly was impressive here and should be followed vs. winners.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11

R2 Brunchandcrunch (#2) broke awkwardly and veered in sharply soon after the start to lose rider. Appeared to bolt. Trainer Baltas will have to work with this one a bit more.

R3 White Sands (#3) was tracking nicely inside when filly appeared to lose her action and steadied midway on turn. Might have cost filly the runner-up spot.

R4 Royal Charter (#3) filly was reluctant to load. Had to be loaded without rider. Broke okay and became rank down backside, came running to late to earn the runner-up spot. Maybe early antics took something out of her late kick. Watch behavior at the gate next time.

R7 Brother Tony (#4) awkward break for this colt. Raced far back early on but gathered himself to finish nicely late. Follow.

R9 Debs Tiz (#3) was scratched in the paddock when acting up.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15

R2 Beautiful Janet (#1) troubled clubhouse turn, caught inside checked and steadied. Very little after that. Draw line through this race.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16

R1 Comanche Gal (#6) eliminated at the start. Broke slowly and raced well behind the field early, was able to track leaders inside but filly wasn't asked for much in the lane while hopelessly beaten. Give another shot next time.

R6 Midnight Mojo (#7) 6-7 wide clubhouse turn, got inside to two-path midway on turn, tracked, asked hard on turn while picking it up some, tried hard through lane for the place. Not a bad effort here.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17

R2 Malibu Coast (#4) rank and pulled down backside, settled down some but showed nothing after. Draw line through this race.

R3 Smokem Ez (#2) broke slowly yet again. Finished well for the show but gelding is his own worst enemy at the gate. Hard to trust until gate woes are fixed.

R6 News At Ten (#3) gelding broke slowly to lose best chance here. Did find best stride late for third. best chance was compromised at the start.

R7 Citizen Bull (#5) impressive maiden debut win for Baffert. Ran down the speedy Smash It who battled to wire. Follow son of Into Mischief.

R8 Iscreamyouscream (#1) impressive win here by Twirling Candy filly. Philip D'Amato has done a solid job with this still undefeated filly who is now 4 for 4. Follow.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18

R1 April Vintage (#6) turned in a winning effort here in 8 of 10 races but got run down late by a game Ang N Ash. Short price to win next time under similar conditions.

R3 Hotrocket (#4) tiny filly got the best of trips and really flattened out in stretch. Puzzling performance. Use caution next time.

R4 Usha (#5) bobbled at the break (slightly) but was quick into stride and opened up to cruise on the lead. Shortened stride head of stretch and gave it up while lugging in and out. . Very disappointing race here from daughter of Tiz the Law. Hard to gauge her next out.

R5 Sabertooth (#9) 3-wide clubhouse turn while bumped and jostled, remained wide, 3-wide on turn and into stretch, got to lead but wasn't able to hold off winner. Lost lots of ground this trip and deserves to be followed next time.

R6 Unbreakable Trust (#2) awkward break in debut, raced green early, found stride and began a nice run backside while inside, angled out some on turn to begin rally, closed gamely thru lane and looked strong on gallop out. Was best here and should be followed next time.

R8 Mirahmadi (#5) colt got lots of hang in him. Money burner. While colt may eventually win, he can't be trusted at any price.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22

R1 Terry's Service (#3) away slowly in debut, gelding ran a solid race and will improve next time with a race under his belt.

R2 Tigerhon (#4) bobbled at break, overcame trouble for a nice looking win. Follow as gelding is ultra sharp now.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23

R1 Letshaveonemore (#1) hopped up at start and was left. Raced well behind field early, was ridden hard to reach contention on turn and flattened out from efforts. Draw line thru this race.

R1 Maximum Capacity (#3) was away slowly, steadily made up ground throughout to finish third in a better-than-looked effort.

R4 Kale's Angel (#7) broke okay, was allowed to settle early, began improving position on the turn and won going away in impressive fashion. Nice win here. Follow.

R6 Mr. Mustache (#3) broke awkwardly, raced well back early inside, improved position some on turn, swung 9-10 wide for drive and flattened out. Will improve with race under belt next time.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24

R1 Cano for the Win (#6) broke okay but was forced 6-wide clubhouse turn, raced within himself, began rally on turn but flattened out in lane while holding third. Nice effort and colt should be followed.

R6 Invincible (#3) broke okay, raced in traffic early, was moving nicely inside on turn, checked and steadied behind tiring horse, tried to re-rally but colt lost best chance on turn. Draw a line thru this race.

R9 Raging Torrent (#4) Doug O'Neill trained colt is really coming into his own. Tested for class and passed with flying colors beating The Chosen Vron. Follow.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25

R3 Afternoon Nap (#3) broke slowly and awkward in debut, was sent to reach contention on backside, gelding found himself behind horses on turn, angled outside and made a nice run for fourth money. Better-than-looked in debut and should be followed.

R5 Zip Om (#1) broke slowly from the rail post, was sent to get the lead, kept to task into lane, got tired late while racing greenly. Follow. Gelding can improve next time with better post.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29

R3 Santos to Wilson (#2) chances compromised by a slow start here. Draw line through this race and give another look at next time.

R6 Cavalieri (#2) nice looking debut win for team Baffert with this daughter of Nyquist. Follow her as she has some talent.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30

R1 Nanci Griffith (#3) nice effort on the grass today. Filly has good speed and likes it on the lead. Tried gamely to wire and it won't be long before she takes another one.

R2 Thirst for Passion (#5) hard to gauge this one. Stood in the gate when gates opened, raced far back early and made up some ground in the lane. Draw line through this race.

R5 Cali Cat (#6) nice looking debut win routing by this son of American Pharoah. Broke okay but was in tight at the start, taken back and found a spot to settle, began a nice rally inside backside, waited patiently behind horses on turn, got run inside and won impressively. Very mature style and he should be followed. 

R6 Nafisa (#8) hopped in air at break, awkward early, ridden to get into contention, made wide move on turn, gamely kept to task in lane for a better-than-looked effort. Follow.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31

R4 Hope Road (#3) continues to impress with another facile win in the Torrery Pines. Looks to have much untapped talent and looks to have bright future.

R6 Speedy Wilson (#11) was able to draw in from also list but post didn't help colt. Solid second, will break maiden next out with better draw.

R9 Motorious (#10) returned to form with a powerful win and late kick that was visually impressive. Gelding loves this course and will be tough at Breeders' Cup with home court advantage.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

R1 Freedom's Not Free (#3) Mark Glatt trained colt by Omaha Beach looked to need this one. Finished okay and a A+ on the gallop out. Follow.

R1 Bullard (#5) Gunner Runner colt ultra impressive here and looks to have plenty of talent for Michael McCarthy connections. Going to be fun to watch this one run back vs. winners.

R3 Bolt d'Vine (#5) deserves another chance next time. This was a good learning race. Follow.

R9 Jarama (#2) solid maiden claiming win here with a nice late kick to power by rivals late. May be a bit better-than-seemed. Follow.