Brad Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Jan. 27, 2025

MARIA TALLCHIEF
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Jan. 23, 5th
Finish: 4th by 3/4
Beyer: 58
Maiden was floated wide first turn of turf route while keen, lost ground throughout, lacked a rally. Uncertain if she wants route. Her two sprints were okay. Follow at shorter trip.

QUEEN MAXIMA
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: Jan. 23, 7th
Finish: 1st by 3 1/2
Beyer: 90
Potential stakes filly pressed fast pace in allowance turf sprint, ran away late. One-two finisher in five turf sprints, Queen Maxima would fit well in Wishing Well Stakes on Feb. 22.

COWBOY KISSES
Trainer: Isidro Tamayo
Last race: Jan. 24, 4th
Finish: 5th by 8 1/4
Beyer: 43
Claiming sprinter broke through gate before start and was basically eliminated right there. He chased and cracked. Race was a throw-out. Fits in restricted claiming sprint.

AMORITA
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Jan. 24, 7th
Finish: 4th by 6 1/4
Beyer: 71
Three-year-old filly set wild pace in N1X turf mile. Was in front by six after a 45.42 half-mile before she cracked. She previously rationed her speed in maiden win. Toss this.

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MODUS BESTIA
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Last race: Jan. 25, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 80
Debut 3-year-old was let go at 16-1. Pressed favorite, battled, held second. Maidens from this barn typically improve. Good try from $500,000 yearling by Maclean’s Music.

DEFIANCE
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Jan. 26, 1st
Finish: 1st by 3/4
Beyer: 74
Debut 4-year-old filly by Curlin was produced by Grade 1 winner Avenge. Settled mid-pack in turf sprint, split rivals in lane, kicked home. Nice debut, certainly bred to run long.

HAMWOOD FLIER
Trainer: George Papaprodromou
Last race: Jan. 26, 8th
Finish: 3rd by 34 1/4
Beyer: 7
Stakes-winning turf filly disliked wet-fast main track while making first start in nearly a year in three-horse field. Chased early, surrendered. Draw a line through this. Follow when back on turf.

LEGITIMATE
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Jan. 26, 10th
Finish: 1st by 12 3/4
Beyer: 84
Maiden 3-year-old loved wet-fast track in dirt mile. Made lead, dominated. Track surface helped. Authentic progeny are coming around. Legitimate, and might handle fast surface

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