LIAM SMITH
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: Feb. 6, 6th
Finish: 1st by 11
Beyer: 90
Two weeks after claimed for $50,000 from highly rated maiden win, 3-year-old dueled early and ran away late to crush starter allowance. Eligible to entry-level allowance, nice sprint prospect.
PROUDLY HAILED
Trainer: Jack Sisterson
Last race: Feb. 6, 7th
Finish: 2nd by neck
Beyer: 76
Racing above her eligibility in N3L starter turf sprint, N2L-eligible mare got squeezed, shuffled to last, three-wide rally turn, missed to rail-skimming winner. ’Hailed was best, follow on drop.
JASMINE
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Last race: Feb. 7, 3rd
Finish: 4th by 7 3/4
Beyer: 62
Comeback maiden completely missed break, off last in dirt sprint, eye-catching rail rally on turn, lost punch and evenly late. Solid comeback by Bolt d’Oro filly, who only needs a clean takeoff.
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GALLOPING GHOST
Trainer: Craig Lewis
Last race: Feb. 7, 4th
Finish: 5th by 6
Beyer: 47
Debut 3-year-old working well for Cal-bred maiden dirt sprint. Off slow, trailed, took dirt, even finish. This was a solid educational debut. His stable races maidens into shape. Follow for sure.
ME AND MOLLY MCGEE
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Last race: Feb. 7, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 1 3/4
Beyer: 93
Off six months, 4-year-old filly set pace in Grade 2 sprint, no match for odds-on winner Splendora, finished clear of third in solid comeback. Promising sprint stakes filly for 2026.
SECURED FREEDOM
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Last race: Feb. 7, 8th
Finish: 3rd by 4
Beyer: 83
Repeat HTW lister, recent maiden sprint winner ran super in Grade 3 mile for 3-year-olds. Off slow, four wide both turns, grinding late rally, galloped out in front. Remains a Derby prospect.
LUCKY SNIPER
Trainer: Dan Blacker
Last race: Feb. 8, 3rd
Finish: 4th by 3 1/4
Beyer: 57
Debut 3-year-old off slow in turf sprint, trailed, saved ground into lane, angled outside, finished willingly. Solid debut by Om colt from stable that races maidens into condition. One to follow.
EXPLORA
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Feb. 8, 8th
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/2
Beyer: 77
Graded route winner as juvenile, 3-year-old filly may prefer to sprint. Sped to lead in fast-early, slow-late route stakes, worn down, clear of third. She can make noise this year in sprint stakes.
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