Prospect Watch: Follow 8 newcomers at Ky. Downs, Del Mar

A full brother to 2014 Preakness runner-up Ride On Curlin ranks among the most noteworthy juveniles slated to debut this week.

Let’s dig in and analyze eight newcomers entered to race at Del Mar and Kentucky Downs.

Thursday

Kentucky Downs race 10: Maiden special weight (one mile on turf, 6:28 p.m. EDT)

No. 2 I’m a Mess

2-year-old filly

Pedigree: American Pharoah–Julia Tuttle, by Giant’s Causeway

Purchase price: N/A

Trainer: Kenny McPeek

The beautifully bred I’m a Mess is a daughter of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah out of Twin Lights winner Julia Tuttle, who is a daughter of elite racehorse and three-time leading North American sire Giant’s Causeway. Julia Tuttle previously foaled Clark (G1) winner Tom’s d’Etat, so if I’m a Mess inherits a fraction of the talent in her classy pedigree, she’ll be a fine racehorse.

Saturday

Kentucky Downs race 1: Maiden special seight (six furlongs on turf, 12:30 p.m.)

No. 8 Noto

2-year-old filly

Pedigree: Malibu Moon–My Limit, by Wagon Limit

Purchase price: $110,000

Trainer: Jonathan Thomas

It’s interesting to see Noto debuting on turf, because her pedigree is geared toward success on dirt. Malibu Moon is best known for siring high-class dirt runners such as Kentucky Derby winner Orb and champion Declan’s Moon, and My Limit is the dam of La Brea (G1) winner Birdatthewire. On the other hand, four of My Limit’s foals have won on grass, so perhaps Noto will handle the Kentucky Downs turf course just fine.

Kentucky Downs race 2: Maiden special weight (one mile on turf, 1:05 p.m.)

No. 5 Hangin in There

2-year-old colt

Pedigree: Bernardini–Pretty Extravagant, by With Distinction

Purchase price: N/A

Trainer: Christopher David

Hangin in There is a 20-1 long shot on the morning line, but he’s a son of champion and Preakness winner Bernardini and a half-brother to Al Quoz Sprint (G1) winner Extravagant Kid, so Hangin in There is cut out to be a good horse. We might not see his best as a juvenile because he’s bred to improve with maturity. But don’t be surprised if Hangin in There develops into a nice horse down the road.

No. 9 Vivaldi

2-year-old colt

Pedigree: Mendelssohn–Channel Lady, by English Channel

Purchase price: N/A

Trainer: Chad Brown

Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown is known for his prowess training turf horses, and Vivaldi is cut out to shine on grass. He’s a son of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Mendelssohn out of Channel Lady, who is a daughter of Breeders’ Cup Turf winner English Channel and herself won the Suwannee River (G3) and Edward P. Evans All Along (G3) on grass. A Calumet Farm homebred, Vivaldi has the pedigree to shine running long and vie for victory under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.

Del Mar race 4: Maiden special weight (5 1/2 furlongs, 6:00 p.m.)

No. 3 Divino

2-year-old colt

Pedigree: Good Magic–Divine Escapade, by A.P. Indy

Purchase price: $400,000

Trainer: Bob Baffert

A son of champion 2-year-old male and Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic, Divino is slated to become the seventh starter produced by the A.P. Indy mare Divine Escapade, who previously foaled Tom Metzen HBPA winner King of the Court. This is a pedigree geared strongly toward success over classic distances, so the fact Divino has shown speed in morning workouts, clocking a bullet half-mile from the Del Mar starting gate in 46.2 seconds, is exciting.

No. 6 Concord Bridge

2-year-old ridgling

Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro–Pauline Revere, by Distorted Humor

Purchase price: $850,000

Trainer: John Sadler

A son of multiple Grade 1 winner and elite sire Medaglia d’Oro, Concord Bridge sold for $850,000 as a yearling and surely brings high hopes to his debut. He has trained fast in the mornings, most notably clocking half a mile from the Del Mar starting gate in 47.4 seconds, so this John Sadler trainee has long-term potential. Regardless of how he performs on Saturday, keep an eye on Concern Bridge down the road, as his pedigree suggests running long will be a strong suit.

No. 7 Utopian

2-year-old colt

Pedigree: Curlin–Magical Ride, by Storm Cat

Purchase price: $350,000

Trainer: Bob Baffert

As a son of two-time horse of the year Curlin out of Magical Ride, Space Mountain is a full-brother to 2014 Preakness runner-up Ride On Curlin and a half-brother to Remington Green winner Space Mountain. Acquired for $350,000 as a yearling, Utopian has put together a sharp work tab for hot trainer Bob Baffert, including five furlongs from the Del Mar starting gate in 59.8 seconds, and he looms as a formidable win threat under Del Mar’s leading jockey Juan Hernandez.

Sunday

Kentucky Downs race 7: Maiden special weight (6 1/2 furlongs on turf, 4:48 p.m.)

No. 13 American Decision

2-year-old colt

Pedigree: American Pharoah–Informed Decision, by Monarchos

Purchase price: N/A

Trainer: Jonathan Thomas

Let’s see… American Pharoah swept the Triple Crown, Informed Decision was voted champion female sprinter after winning the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, and Monarchos prevailed in the Kentucky Derby. It’s safe to say American Decision is bred like a star. He’s the first also-eligible entrant in Sunday’s field, but if he’s allowed to start, this Augustin Stable colorbearer is well worth watching.