Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for week of Feb. 15, 2024

IRISH PATSY
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Feb. 10, 1st
Finish: 3rd by 1/2
Beyer: 78
Slow fractions compromised late-running favorite in N1X turf mile. She lagged as usual, finished fastest of all, but race was dominated by one-two pacesetters. Good try by ’Patsy.

EL REY DORADO
Trainer: Mick Ruis
Last race: Feb. 10, 3rd
Finish: 1st by 5 1/2
Beyer: 92
First dirt route, older gelding benefited from soft pace in Cal-bred N1X. Made lead, set easy fractions, strong to wire. Big number under advantageous conditions, may handle open N1X.

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CAN’T SLEEP
Trainer: Carla Gaines
Last race: Feb. 10, 4th
Finish: 1st by 2
Beyer: 63
Debut filly by first-crop sire Om veered inward and bumped at break, rallied four-wide on turn and into lane, wrong lead to wire, inched clear. Noteworthy debut despite circumstances.

ZONA VERDE
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Feb. 11, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 2
Beyer: 75
Trouble-prone filly was best in turf sprint stakes for fillies. Midpack trip, blocked in traffic crossing dirt and into lane, nowhere to go, waited, angled out, kicked too late. Solid effort.

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