Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for week of Dec. 26-29, 2024

FATHER TED
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Dec. 26, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 84
Debut colt popped gate, lagged while outrun on turn, angled out, finished well. Solid debut by 3-year-old for 2025. Could sprint once more, then stretch out. Follow.

SAN SABA
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Dec. 26, 2nd
Finish: 3rd by 4
Beyer: 77
Well-regarded debut 2-year-old dueled through fast fractions, shook off two pace rivals, weakened late. Promising career launch; Justify colt will be tighter next out.

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SUGAR FISH
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: Dec. 26, 10th
Finish: 3rd by 4 3/4
Beyer: 88
Seven furlongs too short for Grade 2 route winner. Trailed field, finished well inside, galloped out well. Will be freshened before stretching back to two turns in 2025.

PURSUIT OF FREEDOM
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: Dec. 27, 4th
Finish: 3rd by 5 3/4
Beyer: 82
Three-year-old first-time starter sped to lead, carved fast pace, led into lane, tired. Older gelding likely needed the start and is sure to improve with a race under his belt.

MCKECHNIE
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Dec. 27, race 8
Finish: 5th by 10 3/4
Beyer: 50
Comeback 2-year-old filly trailed maiden field, uncorked wide move on turn, then flattened out. This was merely a prep, Into Mischief filly believed to want two turns.

KING OF CLUBS
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Dec. 28, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 2
Beyer: 71
Older Cal-bred maiden firster broke half-step slow, wide, green, evenly late. Bettors disappointed at 7-5, but Clubhouse Ride gelding ran well and can only improve.

AIR FORCE RED
Trainer: Leonard Powell
Last race: Dec. 28, 6th
Finish: 7th by 5 1/2
Beyer: 83
Veteran had unfortunate trip as second betting choice in Grade 2 turf sprint. Saved ground in third, blocked quarter pole, blocked into and through lane. Inconclusive.

HURRICANE CLOUD
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Last race: Dec. 28, 10th
Finish: 4th by 3/4
Beyer: 82
Gelding compromised by uneasy trip in entry-level allowance turf route. Blocked, shuffled, waited, never had a clean run. Fits best in upper-level claiming turf route.

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