CHECK’S ON THE WAY
Trainer: Simon Callaghan
Last race: Sept. 5, 4th
Finish: 4th by 2
Beyer: 80
Gelding broke last and lost position in Cal-bred allowance turf sprint, raced three and four wide on turn and into lane, finished evenly in a much-better-than-looked performance.
PENNY WORTH
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Sept. 5, 8th
Finish: 4th by 5
Beyer: 56
Improving maiden filly stretched out to a mile on turf, was anchored near rear, steadied briefly far turn, finished evenly in first-time route education prep. Her next route should be her best.
NAFISA
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Sept. 6, 1st
Finish: 9th by 4 3/4
Beyer: 57
Career maiden making her 11th start pulled hard while inside, saved ground, was blocked the length of the lane and never found room. Tough one to trust, but this race is a toss.
MEDICI
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Sept. 6, 3rd
Finish: 2nd by 1
Beyer: 68
Second-start 2-year-old maiden vastly improved on turf. Colt by Into Mischief colt out of a Grade 1 turf winner set the pace but was collared late. Long gone in next, turf only.
LA WALLY
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Sept. 6, race 6
Finish: 3rd by 1 1/2
Beyer: 73
Good try in Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante. Lagged off pace, raced along the rail on turn, angled out, finished well. Constitution filly should relish two turns Oct. 4 in Grade 2 Oak Leaf at Santa Anita.
STARTS NOW
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Last race: Sept. 6, 11th
Finish: 4th by 4 3/4
Beyer: 80
Turf mare hopped and lost position at start, got keen while anchored near rear, was stalled in traffic on far turn, finished well in a better-than-looked comeback. She does have speed.
DESERT GATE
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Sept. 7, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 1
Beyer: 88
Runner-up in Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity ran super. A front-runner, he stumbled at start, lost position, rallied, made it close behind odds-on Brant. Desert Gate probably was best.
BOYD
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Sept. 7, 6th
Finish: 1st by 5 3/4
Beyer: 92
Million-dollar 2-year-old was bet to even money first out and crushed. Violence colt set fast pace and had a fast final time. Beyer Speed Figure was one point higher than Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity.
MODUS BESTIA
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Last race: Sept. 7, 8th
Finish: 1st by 3
Beyer: 93
After he bucked anti-inside bias last out, 3-year-old maiden caught a fair track and won well. Set pace, went fast, widened. Maclean’s Music colt can go up the ladder.
LATITUDE
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Sept. 7, race 8th
Finish: 2nd by 3
Beyer: 92
A 3-year-old firster by Candy Ride, this colt pressed fast pace, hung tough, finished more than three clear of third. Likely low-odds maiden winner this fall at Santa Anita.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.