Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch from Jan. 2-8, 2024

TOP GUN TOMMY
Trainer: Steve Knapp
Last race: Jan. 5, 8th
Finish: 1st by neck
Beyer: 93
Veteran ranks among circuit’s most improved claiming sprinters. Midpack, rallied, up late in fast time (1:15.85). Claimed by Knapp from Salvador Naranjo, can fire back on class hike.

IN HER PRYME
Trainer: Carla Gaines
Last race: Jan. 6, 1st
Finish: 4th by 3 3/4
Beyer: 63
Well-bet second-start maiden filly stretched out from a sprint, caught five wide first turn of turf mile, waited briefly far turn, evenly late. Vronsky filly’s third start will likely be her best.

CHASING KAT
Trainer: Leonard Powell
Last race: Jan. 6, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 9
Beyer: 51
Debut filly chased and tired in okay debut for trainer who typically races maidens into shape rather than fire first out. By low-profile stallion Gato Del Oro, ’Kat should improve next out.

NEWGATE
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Jan. 6, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 98
Sharp sprint comeback by older colt who won Grade 3 last year before sidelined. Inside trip within range, angled outside, second best. Into Mischief colt positioned for successful 2024.

MISCHIEFS CAUSEWAY
Trainer: Carla Gaines
Last race: Jan. 7, 3rd
Finish: 6th by 13 1/2
Beyer: 42
Debut winner first out, second-start 3-year-old went favored in Cal-bred allowance sprint, but got knocked from both sides at the start, raced wide, sputtered. This race was a complete toss.

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GREAT KING
Trainer: Simon Callaghan
Last race: Jan. 7, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 93
Comeback turf gelding trailed early in N2X mile, finished fast, but pacesetter wired field. Solid effort by Great King, making his first start locally and first in nearly three months.

TWO BY FOUR
Trainer: Craig Lewis
Last race: Jan. 7, 6th
Finish: 2nd by neck
Beyer: 66
Three-year-old debut gelding by Clubhouse Ride ran super in his sprint. Void of speed, weaved through traffic in the stretch, finished fast, strong gallop-out. Might want two turns.

MEGA MOON
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: Jan. 7, 7th
Finish: 6th by 2 1/4
Beyer: 69
Beaten favorite four straight starter allowance turf routes, this time with an excuse. Rail in third, blocked most of final quarter-mile, no shot. Parimutuel underachiever can be followed.

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