Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for the week of Dec. 28-29, 2025

SECURED FREEDOM
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Last race: Dec. 28, 2nd
Finish: 1st by 4 1/2
Beyer: 88
Second-start maiden 2-year-old tucked off fast pace, swept outside, powered home in fast time. Practical Joke colt trains as if he will run long, promising winter prospect.

DELIGHTFUL LAURA
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: Dec. 28, 3rd
Finish: 2nd by neck
Beyer: 84
Front-running filly hounded through fast fractions in N1X turf mile, shook off pace rivals, collared by late-runner. ’Laura can wire similar next out if pace slightly softer.

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WISHTHEYALLCOULDBE
Trainer: Ryan Hanson
Last race: Dec. 28, 4th
Finish: 1st by 2 1/4
Beyer: 76
Veteran 8-year-old mare crushed Cal-bred optional-claiming sprint, her 10th victory. Claimed for $20,000 by Hanson from Hector Palma, can fire right back at same level.

BALLYVAUGHAN GIG
Trainer: Isidro Tamayo
Last race: Dec. 28, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 1 1/2
Beyer: 84
Speedster set fast pace in hillside N1X at 6 1/2 furlongs, shook off rivals, collared. Front-runner the one to catch next out at slightly shorter distance. Handles dirt or turf.

GOODGOLLYTIZMOLLY
Trainer: Ian Kruljac
Last race: Dec. 29, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 5 1/2
Beyer: 61
Debut juvenile filly, sibling to The Chosen Vron, broke slowly, rallied on the turn and into the lane, and finished evenly. She figures to improve next out with a clean break.

YELLOW CARD
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Dec. 29, 7th
Finish: 6th by 5
Beyer: 89
Honest turf sprinter had an uneasy trip in Grade 2 on the hill. Forwardly placed inside, shuffled back, raced inside and behind runners, just evenly late. He is better than this.

MOTORIOUS
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Dec. 29, 7th
Finish: 7th by 5 1/4
Beyer: 87
Late-running favorite compromised by strategy in hillside Grade 2. Placed curiously close to hot pace, he flattened out. He needs to take back and make one run. Toss this.

ESSOS
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Dec. 29, 9th
Finish: 4th by 3 1/4
Beyer: 62
Stretching out from debut sprint, colt caught three wide throughout. Unable to save ground either turn, evenly late, galloped out well in a much better-than-looked effort.

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