Brad Free's Santa Anita horses to watch from week of April 7-9, 2023
SWEET TROUBLE
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: April 7, 5th
Finish: 2nd by 1
Beyer: 77
Five-start maiden switched to turf and ran the best race of career in main-oval sprint. Bobbled crossing dirt, difficult to handle while wide on turn, and finished well. Follow on turf, short or long.
ANNIE’S JOY
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: April 7, 5th
Finish: 4th by 4 1/4
Beyer: 68
Maiden filly from stakes-winning mare Bootleg Annie tucked third on rail, chased, and was evenly late. Respectable debut by Kitten’s Joy filly; likely to improve with experience and longer distance.
:: Get ready for Santa Anita racing with DRF Past Performances, Picks, and Clocker Reports.
SHEZA GIRLY GIRL
Trainer: George Papaprodomou
Last race: April 7, 1st
Finish: 7th by 9
Beyer: 55
Veteran mare misfired, with an excuse. Switched to turf, bobbled, dropped out, and trailed. Decisive winner of allowance/optional claimer on dirt two back, can rebound when returns to main track.
CLOONEY
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: April 7, 2nd
Finish: 1st by neck
Beyer: 80
Claimed for $40K three back, this $760K yearling scored game win in maiden dirt mile. Sibling to sprint stakes winner Selcourt rallied inside and wore down favorite in the best race of his career.
CEILING CRUSHER
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: April 8, 2nd
Finish: 1st by 15 1/2
Beyer: 94
Three-for-three filly dazzled at odds-on in California-bred sprint stakes. Pressed pace and ran away from field while earning second-highest Beyer of season by 3-year-old filly. She fits anywhere.
CASH EQUITY
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: April 8, 3rd
Finish: 8th by 32 1/4
Beyer: 29
This was a toss-out race for veteran turf gelding. Bobbled start, keen while wide, no cover, rank, and gave way. Runs for $80K optional claiming tag, slight class drop warranted, nine furlongs or more.
OFFLEE NAUGHTY
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: April 8, 5th
Finish: 1st by 1
Beyer: 97
Longshot comebacker in Grade 2 turf race 1 1/4 miles lagged, shuffled far turn, and uncorked a 22.93-second final quarter going away. This upset win was no fluke for 5-year-old making first start of year.
ANCIENT PEACE
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: April 8, 12th
Finish: 1st by 6
Beyer: 83
War Front filly making first start since purchased for $650K in January set pace in off-turf allowance mile and gradually widened geared down. The sky is the limit for 3-year-old filly, turf or dirt.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.