Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for week of March 14, 2024

HERO STATUS
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: March 8, 4th
Finish: 4th by 17 3/4
Beyer: 66
Well-meant comebacker stumbled badly and eliminated at the start of N2X route. Gelding worked well for return and was bet accordingly, worth another chance.

MARKS HIP
Trainer: Steve Knapp
Last race: March 8, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 1
Beyer: 93
Front-runner did dirty work setting pace in off-turf $40k claiming mile, shook off rivals, collared by late-runner, finished nine lengths clear of third. Solid try, usually runs on grass.

VLAHOS
Trainer: Luis Mendez
Last race: March 9, 4th
Finish: 1st by 4 1/2
Beyer: 98
Debut 3-year-old cold in the betting at 13.80-1, but ran as if could have been favored. Sped to lead, fast pace, gone. Ridgling by Kantharos crushed a quality field. This was a wow debut.

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SANTARENA
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: March 9, 4th
Finish: 4th by 6 3/4
Beyer: 84
Well-regarded first-time starter knocked inward by foe when gates opened, off last, extended run backstretch and turn, evenly late. This was a promising debut by son of Omaha Beach.

WINTERFELL
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: March 9, 4th
Finish: 5th by 13
Beyer: 71
First-time starter by Arrogate worked too well to dismiss off this disappointing debut. Bet to favoritism, wide pressing fast sprint pace, gave way in lane. Expect improvement next out.

SUMTER
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: March 9, 7th
Finish: 4th by 1
Beyer: 94
Recently gelded 5yo had race shape against him in Grade 3 turf sprint dominated by two front-runners. Bumped off stride start, trailed, finished well. This was a better-than-looked effort.

SLEW’S JOY
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: March 10, 2nd
Finish: 5th by 8 1/4
Beyer: 66
Sprinter chased from third and retreated in stretch, no visible alibi, but his figure improved, and claimed for $16k by hot trainer Glatt from Ed Moger. May be rounding back into form.

MAN O ROSE
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: March 10, 6th
Finish: 1st by 7 1/2
Beyer: 92
Switching from turf to dirt, Stanford gelding delivered most impressive performance of his career. Pressed fast pace in Cal-bred N1X and ran away. Can repeat in open N1X dirt sprint.

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