Brad Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Oct. 14, 2024
NIGHT OUT
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Oct. 11, 4th
Finish: 5th by 3 3/4
Beyer: 69
Blocked final quarter-mile in claiming turf route non-winners of two lifetime, this class-drop favorite basically had no shot. He is no champ, but this was an inconclusive performance.
PROOF SHE ZIPS
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Oct. 11, 6th
Finish: 3rd by 1/2
Beyer: 75
Cal-bred comeback filly caught four wide on turn in allowance turf sprint, battled to wire. Super try first in six months. Improved this year, can beat similar with ground-saving trip.
WREN
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Oct. 12, 6th
Finish: 2nd 2 3/4
Beyer: 63
Juvenile filly improved a ton second time out, first route. Settled midpack, rallied far turn, evenly late. Into Mischief sibling to Grade 1 winner Improbable headed in the right direction.
BARTHOLDY
Trainer: Steve Knapp
Last race: Oct. 13, 2nd
Finish: 1st by 9
Beyer: 98
Explosive win by 3-year-old maiden special weight gelding in second start since being claimed for $50k. Shot to lead, crushed in fast time. Dirt-sprint specialist can go right up the class ladder.
NUCLEAR
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Oct. 13, 5th
Finish: 7th by 5 3/4
Beyer: 67
Heavy favorite had no shot from post 10 in maiden-claiming turf mile. Four wide early, wide into far turn, heavy stretch traffic, showed late interest. Toss race for underachiever.
RANK
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Oct. 14, 8th
Finish: 2nd by 3/4
Beyer: 73
Improving juvenile continued upward pattern in maiden dirt mile. Lagged in rear flight in a race won by pacesetter, steady finish. Rank will run all day. Honor A. P. colt might be a good one.
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