Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for the week of March 6-8, 2026

JENSCO
Trainer: Bob Hess Jr.
Last race: March 6, 2nd
Finish: 1st by 2 1/4
Beyer: 82
Mare transferred to Hess from late trainer John Shirreffs popped gate, sped to lead, gone. First gate-to-wire winner at seven furlongs this winter. She is eligible to entry-level allowance sprint.

FIONELLO
Trainer: Steve Knapp
Last race: March 6, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 60
Route-to-sprint dropper should have won first-level Cal-bred allowance. Broke last from rail, extended rally, narrowed gap late, race won by the pacesetter. Fionello best as closing sprinter.

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MATT AT FIVE
Trainer: Carla Gaines
Last race: March 6, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 2
Beyer: 62
Gelding not bred to win first out (by Tamarando), from stable that rarely wins first out, firster ran well. Inside speed, dueled, worn down by favorite, finished five lengths clear of third. Next time.

KING’S RIDE
Trainer: Craig Lewis
Last race: March 7, 1st
Finish: 4th by 3 1/4
Beyer: 53
Debut colt only prepping in turf sprint. Broke well, not quick, raced greenly on turn and into lane, finished well. Solid educational prep by full sibling to graded winner Brickyard Ride.

CRUDE VELOCITY
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: March 7, 6th
Finish: 1st by neck
Beyer: 89
Debut 3-year-old broke slowly from rail, checked off heels into turn, re-rallied outside, won going away, galloped out far in front of field. Big win, super debut by Beau Liam colt.

GAS ME UP
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Last race: March 7, 9th
Finish: 4th by 3
Beyer: 92
Late-runner less effective around two turns, and showed it again in Grade 2 route. Lagged, mild rally from sixth. His career-best race was Grade 2 hillside sprint win, follow when shortens to sprint.

INFINITUM
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: March 7, 11th
Finish: 8th by 4
Beyer: 66
Stretch-out maiden not asked for speed, raced midfield, shuffled back on far turn, then steadied, only evenly late. Inconclusive bad-trip debacle. He fits against Cal-bred maidens, either surface.

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