Brad Free’s Santa Anita horses to watch from week of March 5-7, 2021

HUDSON RIDGE
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: March 5, 3rd
Finish: 4th by 3
Beyer: 75
Maiden 3-year-old stretched out from sprint, but rather than use speed, was rated. Rank early, trailed, finished with run, galloped out in front. Maiden-special sleeper also bred for turf.

MASTERING
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: March 6, 2nd
Finish: 1st by 1/2
Beyer: 91
Massive 4-year-old broke half-step slow in second-level allowance route, fourth on rail, angled out, grinding rally, up. Third straight win by large colt, wants longer distance.

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ROYAL SHIP
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: March 6, 9th
Finish: 5th by 1
Beyer: 94
First in three months, first since gelded, longshot in Grade 1 Kilroe ran well. Lagged off pace, finished willingly in traffic, solid comeback. Group 1 winner in Brazil may be coming around.

WHISPER NOT
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Last race: March 6, 7th
Finish: 1st by 1 1/4
Beyer: 94
Set blazing pace (45.30 and 1:09.33) in entry-level allowance turf mile, wired field in 1:33.32, fastest turf mile of meet 1.16 seconds faster than Grade 1 Kilroe. Up the ladder.

DEFUNDED
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: March 6, 11th
Finish: 1st by 2 1/2
Beyer: 83
Comeback maiden making first start since August, first since being gelded, exploited hot pace to score decisive “ridden-out” maiden victory rallying from off the pace. Very sharp.

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MR. IMPOSSIBLE
Trainer: Simon Callaghan
Last race: March 6, 11th
Finish: 3rd by 3 1/2
Beyer: 75
Tough-luck maiden sawed off on backstretch, steadied, re-rallied to press hot pace, made lead in lane, swallowed in better-than-looked effort. Should be tough next in maiden sprint.

BROWN STORM
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: March 7, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 3
Beyer: 91
Comeback veteran set pace in allowance turf mile, fought to deep stretch, held third in solid comeback. Winless since autumn 2018 in Chile, fits in allowance/minor stakes race.

SO VERY SMART
Trainer: Kristin Mulhall
Last race: March 7, 8th
Finish: 4th by 7
Beyer: 60
Debut filly in California-bred maiden race settled midpack, four-wide forwardly placed while losing ground on turn, levelled off late, galloped out in front. Better-than-looked debut.