Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch from Jan. 16-22, 2024

BLAZING BARDOT
Trainer: Karen Headley
Last race: Jan. 19, 5th
Finish: 4th by 16 1/2
Beyer: 43
Longshot maiden-claiming mare pressed two wide, anchored and lost position, shuffled back, small rally on turn, flat. This was her first in a year, could outrun odds next start back.

HOPKINS
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Jan. 19, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 88
Graded stakes-winning sprinter off since March dueled inside, shook off pace rivals, worn down late, finished clear of third. Solid allowance comeback sets up a return to stakes.

MAYMUN
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Jan. 20, 1st
Finish: 1st by 7 1/2
Beyer: 94
Debut 3-year-old colt worked well, ran accordingly. Made lead inside, kicked away, romped. Another addition to growing list of trainer’s Santa Anita Derby and/or Preakness candidates.

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MCVAY
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: Jan. 20, 1st
Finish: 2nd by 7 1/2
Beyer: 78
Maiden improved over summer debut. Hard-held fourth while climbing early, split foes turn, cut corner, switched leads, finished evenly, promising comeback by $1.25 million colt.

CRYPTO CRAZE
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Jan. 21, 1st
Finish: 1st by 8 1/4
Beyer: 79
Debut 4-year-old worked fast, and ran fast. Shot to lead and romped in $20,000 maiden-claiming sprint. Claimed by Glatt from Luis Mendez, would fit in non-winners of two starter.

VEGAS BURNER
Trainer: George Papaprodomou
Last race: Jan. 21, 4th
Finish: 2nd by head
Beyer: 90
Older maiden was tons best in this special-weight sprint. Stumbled and away last, rallied wide, narrowed gap, finished nearly four clear. Low-odds MSW standout next out, dirt only.

SOL DEL SUR
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Jan. 21, 5th
Finish: 1st by 2 1/4
Beyer: 85
Recent transfer to Glatt, this $10k claiming sprinter crushed. Pressed pace, ran away. Should handle higher claim level, contender wherever he is spotted next and has won running long.

SHOW CARD
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Jan. 21, 7th
Finish: 7th by 7
Beyer: 62
Well-regarded debut filly favored off sharp works, but hopped start, hit gate, away last, lost all chance. Raced at the rear, ran around the track in a toss race. Follow for her second start.

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