Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for week of March 14-17, 2025
MISS PRACTICAL
Trainer: Carla Gaines
Last race: March 14, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 1 3/4
Beyer: 63
Debut filly broke slow, recovered, pressed wide, led into lane, then was worn down. Gaines-trained maidens past five years: 9 percent first out, 19 percent second out. Follow.
LIL RICHARD BELLO
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Last race: March 14, 8th
Finish: 4th by 3 1/4
Beyer: 81
Rail trip in Cal-bred route, blocked into lane, steadied, found a seam inside, finished well, galloped out well. Fits in Cal-bred N1X/optional $20k claiming, either surface.
STARRY HEAVENS
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: March 15, 8th
Finish: 3rd by 3
Beyer: 88
European import ran well making first start in eight months in Grade 3 turf route. Two and three wide midpack, challenged for lead into lane, collared late. This was a fine comeback.
JOINT VENTURE
Trainer: Bob Hess, Jr.
Last race: March 16, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 4 1/2
Beyer: 66
Veteran hounded through fast pace in $16k claiming route, put away foes, gobbled up late, finished clear of third. Claimed by Hess from Doug O’Neill. Long gone next out?
NOBLE REFLECTION
Trainer: Librado Barocio
Last race: March 16, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 2 1/4
Beyer: 87
Turf-sprint gelding sped to lead, set fast pace, finished clear of third. Five-time winner claimed by Barocio from Peter Miller. Barocio does well with veteran win types.
TIME TO SHINE
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: March 16, 10th
Finish: 4th by 4
Beyer: 66
Promising debut by 3-year-old filly in maiden turf mile. Off slowly, raced at the back, found a path in lane, finished well and galloped out super in a fine start to her career.
MISS JO’S CURLIN
Trainer: Brendan Galvin
Last race: March 17, 1st
Finish: 5th by 3 1/4
Beyer: N/A
Six-start maiden had tough trip in turf sprint for Cal-bred maidens. Stumbled start, tucked inside just off pace, blocked into and through lane, inconclusive performance.
RAW ABILITY
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: March 17, 7th
Finish: 1st by 3/4
Beyer: N/A
Comeback turf-mile filly is 3 for 3 after sharp N2X win. Pressed slow pace while full of run, spurted home with 22.41 final quarter, Irish import headed for stakes.
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