Brad Free's Santa Anita horses to watch from week of April 4-7, 2024

STAY AND SCAM
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: April 4, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 2
Beyer: 88
First-time route in Grade 3 turf mile, California-bred filly set pace under pressure, kicked away, and was worn down by last-to-first winner. Solid try. Stay and Scam runs long or short in turf stakes.

AIR FORCE RED
Trainer: Leonard Powell
Last race: April 4, 9th
Finish: 4th by 3 3/4
Beyer: 91
Second start following long layoff, veteran set blazing pace (44.98 seconds and 1:08.57) in Grade 3 turf mile, led to deep stretch, and was swallowed. Improved effort, next start likely will be his best.

:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports

CROWNING GOLD
Trainer: Brian Koriner
Last race: April 5, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 3 1/4
Beyer: 74
Class-drop gelding dueled through fast pace in nonwinners-of-two claiming sprint, got best of pace rivals, and was worn down by late-runner. Crowning Gold could be long gone next time out.

PIONEER PRINCE
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: April 5, 3rd
Finish: 4th by 2 3/4
Beyer: 73
Favored in starter-allowance turf sprint, midpack on rail, blocked from quarter pole into lane, clear too late, and galloped out with run after finish. Inconclusive effort by lightly raced gelding.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

FAUSTIN
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: April 6, 11th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 89
Off more than a year, making his first start on turf and first at two turns, pressed pace, hung tough through stretch, and got collared by late-running winner. Solid comeback effort by Faustin.

MAN AMONG MEN
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: April 6, 11th
Finish: 4th by 2
Beyer: 86
Favored in allowance turf mile, saved ground, under ride at quarter pole, briefly blocked into lane, and one-paced. Okay effort, nothing more. Lightly raced 5-year-old is better than this race indicates.

HEADED FOR OM
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: April 7, 3rd
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/4
Beyer: 71
Last-out maiden winner was shuffled and lost position approaching dirt crossing in turf sprint on hill, angled out, and finished evenly in race won by pacesetter. Better-than-looked effort by Headed for Om.

THE OLD NINE
Trainer: Simon Callaghan
Last race: April 7, 11th
Finish: 4th by 6 3/4
Beyer: 62
European maiden off four months broke slowly, midpack behind slow pace in turf mile, blocked far turn, and evenly through lane in a respectable comeback. Likely to improve next out.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.