Brad Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of April 29, 2024

Santa Anita
PARENTING
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: April 26, 6th
Finish: 1st by 2 3/4
Beyer: 89
Impressive debut by this 3-year-old Justify colt. Purchased for $750k at auction in April 2023, pressed pace, crushed. Dam is sibling to Grade 1 winner. The sky is the limit for Parenting.

FAUSTO
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: April 26, 6th
Finish: 5th by 8
Beyer: 69
Debut colt ignored in betting at 46-1, broke last in dirt sprint, middle move into turn, finished fairly well and galloped out willingly after the wire. Promising debut, might want two turns.

HAPPY JACK
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: April 27, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 3/4
Beyer: 101
Off 10 months, Grade 1-placed comebacker ran super in sprint stakes. Pressed pace, briefly tested The Chosen Vron, finished five lengths clear of third. Fits in graded sprint stakes.

EXPRESS TRAIN
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: April 27, 4th
Finish: 3rd by 5 3/4
Beyer: 90
Making first start in a year and a half, 2022 Santa Anita Handicap winner was only prepping in sprint. Three-wide midpack, evenly late, useful prep for Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup on May 27.

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SMART MO
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: April 27, 10th
Finish: 2nd by neck
Beyer: 94
Stakes-placed comebacker off five months broke from outside post in N1X dirt mile, four wide both turns, battled to wire, missed. Excellent comeback considering the ground loss.

ABHITA
Trainer: Antonio Garcia
Last race: April 28, 1st
Finish: Second by 3/4
Beyer: 72
Tough trip for favorite in N3L starter turf mile. Saved ground at back, blocked on turn and into lane, got clear too late. Late-running mare can win this condition with clean trip.

VIBEZ
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Last race: April 28, 9th
Finish: 5th by 1 1/2
Beyer: 67
Comebacking maiden may not care for turf. Sharp works on dirt, but seemed to run in spots in turf sprint. Loomed, lacked late punch. Worth following when she switches to dirt.

WIMBERLY
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: April 28, 9th
Finish: 6th by 2
Beyer: 66
Curlin maiden filly produced by Grade 1 winner was only prepping in turf sprint. Not quick, not asked, blocked briefly on turn and in lane, even finish on inside. Follow at longer distances.

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