Freedom’s Not Free, a two-time stakes winner who starts in Sunday’s $100,000 La Jolla Handicap at Del Mar, was a lonely horse when he set a slow pace in the $249,000 American Derby at Churchill Downs on June 28.
Freedom’s Not Free led by a length on the backstretch but was unable to sustain the advantage, finishing third by a length after a late challenge.
“He couldn’t help but find himself on the lead,” trainer Mark Glatt said Thursday. “I think he’s a better horse with someone to follow.”
In the La Jolla Handicap, for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on turf, Freedom’s Not Free is expected to lead. In a field of six, the only other potential pacesetter is Day and Age, who led throughout a maiden race at Santa Anita in April.
“I don’t know if there will be a target in the race or not,” Glatt said. “Hopefully, there is a little target in there.”
Freedom’s Not Free, who races for a partnership led by Blinkers On Racing, is the most accomplished runner in the La Jolla, a prep race for the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Aug. 30.
Freedom’s Not Free won consecutive stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita earlier this year – the Pasadena in March and the Cinema in May. In both races, he stalked the early pace, always racing within a length of the front.
A winner of 3 of 7 starts, Freedom’s Not Free has finished in the first three in his five turf starts, the foundation of what could be an accomplished career.
“He’s only 3,” he said. “You can always continue to improve.”
Freedom’s Not Free is one of three stakes winners in the La Jolla field, along with Artislas and Game Warrior.
Game Warrior won the restricted Oceanside Stakes at 19-1 at a mile on turf on July 18, opening day of the current Del Mar meeting, closing from eighth of 10.
At Santa Anita in the spring, Game Warrior was fourth in the Cinema, beaten 1 3/4 lengths, and third behind Day and Age and La Jolla entrant The Padre in an allowance race in June.
A relatively fast turnaround is not a concern with Game Warrior, trainer Peter Miller said.
“He’s a big strong sound horse that seems to be able to take some racing or training,” he said.
Artislas, a two-time stakes winner in 2024, was beaten only three-quarters of a length in the Oceanside, closing steadily through the stretch. Trained by Jeff Mullins, Artislas runs as a stalker, and could be a danger in the final furlong on Sunday.
Artislas will be joined from off the pace by The Padre, an Irish-bred colt who was a good second in his American debut on June 13. Trainer Phil D’Amato expects The Padre to be handy for jockey Umberto Rispoli.
“I don’t mind him being toward the rear, but I don’t want him being too far out of it,” D’Amato said. “He’s acting a little sharper and I think he’ll be a little closer.”
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