Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for the week of Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2026

CHRISTA MCAULIFFE
Trainer: Steve Miyadi
Last race: Jan. 30, 7th
Finish: 5th by 5 1/2
Beyer: 54
Debut filly bumped and off half-step slow, ran up on heels backstretch, cut corner into lane, evenly. Better-than-looked debut by full sibling to stakes winner Rose Maddox.

POTENTE
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Jan. 31, 6th
Finish: 1st by 3/4
Beyer: 79
Purchased for $2.4 million as yearling, Into Mischief debut colt popped gate, set pace, held gamely in race he needed. Considered a route prospect, follow on the stretch-out.

:: Santa Anita Classic Meet! Get DRF Past Performances, Clocker Reports, and more.

DEEP TRACKS
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: Jan. 31, 6th
Finish: 3rd by 4
Beyer: 70
A million-dollar juvenile, this 3-year-old Nyquist colt ran well. Pressed from third, loomed, evenly. Smart debut, Shirreffs-trained maidens typically race into condition.

CORNUCOPIAN
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Jan. 31, 8th
Finish: 1st by 3
Beyer: 97
Super comeback by 4-year-old in entry-level allowance sprint. Fourth on rail, checked quarter pole, re-accelerated, opened up, geared down. Potential star, sky is the limit.

NOVITA DOMINGA
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Jan. 31, 9th
Finish: 8th by 9 1/2
Beyer: 49
Well-bet debut 3-year-old filly by Not This Time scrambled at dirt crossing in main-oval turf sprint, came off bit, raced greenly, okay late. She is much better than this.

POOR CONNECTION
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Feb. 1, 1st
Finish: 6th by 11 1/2
Beyer: 69
Racing above his eligibility in N3L starter, gelding pressed pace and gave way. He can drop into N2L starter, and will be considered for a start on synthetic in Kentucky.

ACOUSTIC KITTY
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Feb. 1, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 1/2
Beyer: 65
Debut filly checked early and lost position in main-oval turf sprint, raced near rear, saved ground through turn, angled out midstretch, finished well. She was best.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.