Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for the week of Feb. 27-March 1, 2026

PLEASE FOCUS
Trainer: Steve Knapp
Last race: Feb. 27, 3rd
Finish: 4th by 5 1/4
Beyer: 74
Front-runner was hounded through a fast pace in a $16,000 claiming starter turf mile. Opening half in 45.60 seconds, six furlongs in 1:10.56, and tired in final furlong. Honest veteran remains in peak form.

JUST A KISS
Trainer: Andy Mathis
Last race: Feb. 27, 5th
Finish: 6th by 4
Beyer: 66
Comeback filly broke slowly from outside post in California-bred allowance turf mile, tucked in, was in heavy traffic for final quarter-mile, and finished okay in a better-than-looked comeback.

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CHEROKEE NATION
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Feb. 27, 8th
Finish: 1st by 10
Beyer: 100
Repeat HTW lister put it all together to crush maidens in fast 1:34.50 dirt mile. Pressed pace and ran away. Good-looking colt will aim to Santa Anita Derby on April 4.

APPLES Y PEACHES
Trainer: Mike Puype
Last race: March 1, 2nd
Finish: 3rd by 5
Beyer: 70
First-time starter in dirt mile, this filly ran well despite losing ground three and four wide throughout. Under a drive at quarter pole, she finished evenly in a creditable debut.

OTTIS BETTS
Trainer: Ron Ellis
Last race: March 1, 4th
Finish: 3rd by 1 1/2
Beyer: 48
Second-start maiden broke slowly, steadied early on the turn, grinding finish, and was claimed for $12.5K by Ellis from Marcia Stortz. Can beat similar with clean start.

RUNNING SPARTAN
Trainer: George Papaprodromou
Last race: March 1, 5th
Finish: 4th by 2
Beyer: 71
Comeback maiden ran well versus winners in starter-allowance turf sprint. Pressed pace, made lead, hung tough until collared late. Solid comeback, follow against maidens.

PROUDLY HAILED
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: March 1, 5th
Finish: 6th by 3 1/4
Beyer: 69
Repeat HTW lister had horrible trip as favorite in N2L turf sprint. Buried on rail, nowhere to go while seemingly full of run, and switched out too late. Toss this debacle.

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