Brad Free's Santa Anita horses to watch from Dec. 26, 2023-Jan. 1, 2024

NEW KING
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Dec. 26, 2nd
Finish: 4th by 2
Beyer: 81
Debut colt broke well, not quick, dropped back on turn while appearing green, angled out, and ran on late. Into Mischief colt wants longer than six furlongs, maiden 3-year-old for 2024.

SUBSANADOR
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Dec. 26, 6th
Finish: 4th by 3 1/4
Beyer: 95
Argentine Group 1 winner was favored in U.S. debut, ran flat, no visible alibi. South American imports often need time to acclimate. Subsanador trained super, one misfire can be excused.

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CATALINA EDDY
Trainer: Craig Lewis
Last race: Dec. 26, 7th
Finish: 4th by 5
Beyer: 83
Off eight months, well-regarded California-bred ran well in open N1X turf sprint. Pressed pace, tired in lane, and needed the out. He should move up with this promising prep under his belt.

AMERICANDREAMMAKER
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Dec. 26, 11th
Finish: 6th by 5 1/4
Beyer: 55
Debut filly broke slowly in turf mile, trailed, rallied in traffic on far turn and in stretch, searched for path, big finish, and galloped out super. Excellent debut, 3-year-old filly turf prospect for 2024.

GHOST COAST
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: Dec. 29, 1st
Finish: 4th by 3 1/2
Beyer: 73
Favored in maiden-50 turf route, gelding was compromised by his trip. Next to last, premature move to challenge while wide into far turn, and went flat. Can win with patient handling.

WISHTHEYALLCOULDBE
Trainer: Sergio Morfin
Last race: Dec. 29, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 2 1/2
Beyer: 66
Veteran mare was tons best in claiming sprint. Threw head, away last by many, extended rally, and missed. Now 3 for 4 at Santa Anita. Fits in claiming/California-bred allowance/optional claimer.

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TWIRLING POINT
Trainer: Jonathan Thomas
Last race: Dec. 29, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/2
Beyer: 70
Off slowly in juvenile turf mile stakes, rated at back, blocked far turn, waited, strong finish inside, and solid gallop-out. Gelding can be followed in 2024 winter-spring stakes for 3-year-olds.

AMERICAN HOPE
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Dec. 29, 7th
Finish: 6th by 4 3/4
Beyer: 66
Weather interrupted this colt’s training; he worked three days before he ran in stakes, got keen in the race, and sputtered. This race was a toss. Might try dirt, worth another chance.

KINZA
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Dec. 29, 8th
Finish: 1st by 7 1/2
Beyer: 96
Debut filly romped with highest speed figure of 2023 by a 2-year-old filly, crushing maidens in front-running fashion. The sky is the limit for daughter of Carpe Diem, potential 2024 star.

SPLENDORA
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Dec. 29, 8th
Finish: 2nd by 7 1/2
Beyer: 79
Although no match for romping stablemate Kinza, this debut filly ran well. Splendora saved ground, finished evenly, and ran a winning race. Perhaps next time for daughter of Audible.

SNEAKER
Trainer: George Papaprodomou
Last race: Dec. 30, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 5 3/4
Beyer: 49
Debuting at a mile on turf, California-bred filly by Oscar Performance was bet to 4.90-1, raced three-wide in fifth, and ran evenly throughout in a creditable debut. She should move way up next out.

LLORONA
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Dec. 31, 4th
Finish: 4th by 8 1/2
Beyer: 59
Sparkling maiden winner at Del Mar did not care for slower Santa Anita main track and misfired at odds-on. Draw a line through this race and follow when bred-for-turf filly switches to grass.

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