Brad Free's Santa Anita horses to watch from week of Feb 25-27, 2022

CONUNDRUM
Trainer: George Papaprodomou
Last race: Feb. 25, 6th
Finish: 3rd by 4 3/4
Beyer: 52
Comeback maiden off slowly from rail, appeared uncomfortable racing inside, angled out for drive, and finished evenly. Claimed for $20,000 from Ed Moger, eligible to improve.

DELMONA
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: Feb. 25, 7th
Finish: 2nd by head
Beyer: 75
Stakes-placed European with ordinary dirt works ran to her overseas form in allowance on hill. Off slowly, pulled forward, split rivals dirt crossing, led, and nailed. Sharp comeback.

DEVIL MOON
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Feb. 25, 8th
Finish: 5th by 6 3/4
Beyer: 64
Well-regarded 3-year-old maiden colt off slowly, rushed to press inside, shuffled into turn, steadied, and was evenly late. Trained better than ran in this troubled debut, can be followed.

RELAXED ARTIST
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Feb. 26, 1st
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 79
European import was void of speed in downhill allowance, rallied widest into lane, loomed threat, and held second. Solid comeback, might be positioned closer to the front next time.

ALMANERA
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Feb. 26, 1st
Finish: 6th by 6 1/4
Beyer: 66
Another European who broke slowly in downhill allowance, blocked approaching the dirt crossing, buried along the inside in stretch, nowhere to run, and lacked room in nightmare trip.

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COSMO
Trainer: Mike Puype
Last race: Feb. 26, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 1 1/2
Beyer: 83
Over his head in open $25K claiming turf mile and finished okay. Claimed in 21-way shake from Doug O’Neill, eligible to nonwinners-of-two claiming race, will be live on the drop.

HEAR MY PRAYER
Trainer: Vladimir Cerin
Last race: Feb. 26, 7th
Finish: 6th by 4
Beyer: 75
Repeat “horse to watch” strangled pressing inordinately slow pace in turf sprint stakes, got discouraged, and faded. Trains super on dirt, can use her speed next out on main track.

SET SAIL
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Feb. 26, 8th
Finish: 3rd by 6
Beyer: 81
Favored first out in special-weight dirt sprint, took dirt inside, followed eventual winner, and was no match in lane in a creditable debut effort. Should move up considerably next time out.