HORSES TO WATCH

BELMONT MAGNOLIA’S LADY

Trainer: Linda Rice Last race: June 3, 5th Finish: 4th by 4 3/4

Beyer: 55

Big, good-looking filly failed to break sharply in her debut sprinting on turf, but she showed some run in that spot despite catching some traffic along the inside behind a frontrunning winner. Half-sister to dirt stakes winner Split Time rates to improve quickly for excellent second-out trainer Linda Rice.

HELENE JACQUELINE

Trainer: Richard Vega Last race: June 3, 5th Finish: 2nd by 3 1/2 Beyer: 60

On turf for the first time, she was held up behind horses in the stretch but finished well once clear to be gaining on a front-running winner at the end.

CORELLI

Trainer: Jonathan Thomas Last race: June 5, 9th Finish: 7th by 3 1/4 Beyer: 95

Broke slowly and spent most of his stateside and 2020 debut in behind horses at the back of the pack in a tough running of the Tiller. Was racing on gamely in the stretch while unable to get fully clear.

MORE GRAYTFUL

Trainer: Brad Cox

Last race: June 6, 10th

Finish: 7th by 16

Beyer: 57

Facing a solid field over a sloppy track, he ran up on horses early and steadied hard, plummeting to the back of the pack, and could not recover. Can do better next time with a clean trip.

SANTA ANITA BOLDEN

Trainer: Peter Miller Last race: June 5, 1st Finish: 1st by 5 1/2

Beyer: 64

– Mike Beer

This highly regarded 2-yearold by Square Eddie crushed first time out. Broke running, cruised on lead, won “ridden out.” Fits in any stakes race, any locale. Road trip?

EAGLE IN THE SKY

Trainer: Michael McCarthy

Last race: June 5, 1st

Finish: 2nd by 5 1/2

Beyer: 49

Solid debut by 2-year-old. Ground broke out underneath him at start, bobbled, sent to chase from third, even finish. Maidens from this stable generally improve with racing.

DIA DE PAGO

Trainer: Vladimir Cerin

Last race: June 5, 3rd

Finish: 3rd by 2

Beyer: 76

Raced four and five wide from start to finish in route race, $25K claiming nonwinners of two races lifetime. Veteran lost more ground than margin of defeat, fits in similar race.

GRYFFINDOR

Trainer: Ryan Hanson Last race: June 5, 3rd

Finish: 6th by 11 3/4

Beyer: 60

Stretch-runner is 1 for 24, but may have improved since claimed by Hanson. Raced above claim level, small rally far turn, flattened out. Price play in $12.5K claiming N2L route.

SONIC BREES

Trainer: Doug O’Neill

Last race: June 6, 2nd

Finish: 2nd by 1 3/4

Beyer: 44

Debut 2-year-old stumbled, recovered, chased inside, uncomfortable taking dirt, angled out, steadied when rival veered out eighth pole, strong finish and gallop-out. Solid debut.

EL TIGRE TERRIBLE

Trainer: Peter Miller

Last race: June 6, 4th

Finish: 2nd by 1/2

Beyer: 79

Comebacker much best in 3-year-old turf sprint stakes. Saved ground full of run, blocked into lane, switched out late, huge kick and gallop-out. Stakes winner last year, he’s back.

– Brad Free