Brad Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Oct. 7, 2024
CANANI
Trainer: Librado Barocio
Last race: Oct. 4, 1st
Finish: 4th by 2 1/4
Beyer: 68
Debut 3-year-old trained like he needed one, ran accordingly. Lacked speed, saved ground rallying on turn of turf sprint, finished evenly, galloped out in front. Solid debut by gelding.
TERRY’S BOY
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: Oct. 4, 3rd
Finish: 1st by 3
Beyer: 98
Veteran sprinter tucked just off pace in $40k claiming turf sprint, ran away late. Seven-year-old gelding never better, also effective five furlongs on turf at Del Mar. Can win right back.
JERRY’S SPIRIT
Trainer: Dean Pederson
Last race: Oct. 4, 8th
Finish: 3rd by 3
Beyer: 79
First route, first against winners. Lightly raced gelding set or pressed pace to deep stretch before tiring. He’ll be much fitter next out at Del Mar, where he trained well all summer.
LOLO LE PLUME
Trainer: Bob Hess Jr.
Last race: Oct. 4, 9th
Finish: 5th by 9 1/2
Beyer: 52
Second-start juvenile maiden filly dropped too far behind and merely split field in a curiously passive performance in maiden turf mile. She ran better on Del Mar turf in summer. Follow.
NON COMPLIANT
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Oct. 5, 3rd
Finish: 1st by 2 1/4
Beyer: 81
Debut sprint winner ran better than low figure in Grade 2 route for 2-year-old fillies. Forced very wide first turn, pressed while wide, inched clear late. Upset candidate in Breeders’ Cup.
MIZZYAAN
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Oct. 5, 8th
Finish: 1st by 3 1/4
Beyer: 78
This 3-year-old filly put it all together in maiden turf mile. Lagged, rallied wide, strong kick, ran away late. The light bulb went on for Justify filly from Grade 1-winning mare. Up the ladder.
VIDEO REVIEW
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Oct. 5, 10th
Finish: 3rd by 1/2
Beyer: 70
Second-start 2-year-old was allowed to use his speed this time, and nearly stole maiden turf mile. Set pace, strong splits, fought back late. Much improved colt is sitting on a maiden win.
SHEZMISBEHAVING
Trainer: Jorge Gutierrez
Last race: Oct. 6, 10th
Finish: 3rd by 4 3/4
Beyer: 68
Comeback filly added Lasix after bleeding last out, and ran well. Settled, lost ground rallying wide far turn and into stretch, finished steadily. Cal-bred allowance turf fillies within reach.
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