Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for the week of Jan. 15-19, 2026

FLASH OF LIGHTNING
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Last race: Jan. 15, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 1 3/4
Beyer: 59
Maiden 3-year-old stretched to turf mile, was bumped and shuffled, raced along rail near rear, angled out, finished well, galloped out well. Solid effort, Cal-bred maiden win is imminent.

MANIAE
Trainer: Gary Stute
Last race: Jan. 16, 3rd
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/4
Beyer: 42
Odds-on sprint mare was off slowly from rail, disliked kickback, put in a grinding rally. Claimed for $10,000 by Stute from Genaro Vallejo, Maniae fits in similar N3L claiming sprint.

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UNCLE EVCO
Trainer: Hector Palma
Last race: Jan. 16, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 67
Low-level claiming gelding raced four- and five-wide start to finish in N2L claiming route, finished well clear of third. He was tons best, worth following in similar spot.

TROISIEME ETOILE
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Jan. 17, 3rd
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 50
Debut filly bet to odds-on in Cal-bred maiden turf sprint, was shuffled early, raced three wide on turn, hit traffic into lane, angled out, had big finish and gallop-out. Super career launch.

COACH CRONIN
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Jan. 17, 6th
Finish: 4th by 4 1/2
Beyer: 83
Cal-bred allowance favorite had uneasy trip, was buried inside and behind runners in sixth, too far off pace, finished evenly. Can rebound vs. similar with outside post and a pressing trip.

RULER OF LAW
Trainer: Luis Mendez
Last race: Jan. 18, 1st
Finish: 2nd by 2 1/4
Beyer: 69
Debut 3-year-old was not quick from rail, rolled to midfield, waited behind rivals on turn, saved ground, finished well, galloped out well. Promising debut by Tiz the Law colt.

MISLEADING
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: Jan. 18, 5th
Finish: 4th by 3 3/4
Beyer: 65
Off 10 months, comebacker in first-level allowance turf sprint rated, had a rail trip and finished evenly. Solid return for well-regarded Not This Time filly, who can improve next out.

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