Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for week of May 10, 2024

R HEISMAN
Trainer: Luis Mendez
Last race: May 3, 1st
Finish: 2nd by 5 3/4
Beyer: NA (4 1/2 furlongs)
Odds-on in first 2-year-old race of meet, Cal-bred colt had a tough trip. Not quick from rail, shuffled, hard-held in fifth, steadied on turn, angled out, finished well. Very promising debut.

SCATIFY
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: May 4, 1st
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 76
Off poorly and forced inward in allowance turf sprint, lost position, finished well inside, but stablemate winner got the jump. Scatify was best, follow vs. 3-year-olds on turf or dirt.

ANTONSEN
Trainer: Carla Gaines
Last race: May 4, 4th
Finish: 4th by 10 1/2
Beyer: 47
Inside post kiss of death for this odds-on favorite in Cal-bred maiden-50 sprint. Bobbled, rushed inside, dueled, dropped out. This race was a toss, fits vs. similar with outside draw.

TOUR PLAYER
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: May 4, 9th
Finish: 7th by 3 1/2
Beyer: 73
Stretching to nine-furlong turf race after midpack dirt-sprint debut, maiden colt dueled inside, under pressure and unrelaxed, led into lane, tired. Racing into shape, can improve third start.

MARSH CREEK
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: May 5, 1st
Finish: 5th by 6 1/2
Beyer: 56
Debut 3-year-old by Arrogate was favored despite rail post and dubious pedigree for turf. Off slowly, rolled forward, steadied repeatedly, shuffled, blocked in lane. Inconclusive debut.

CATHAL
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: May 5, 3rd
Finish: 3rd by 4
Beyer: 74
Euro import had uneasy trip in maiden turf sprint. Not quick, was climbing at dirt crossing, checked on turn, big finish in race dominated by front-runners. Sharp U.S. debut by Cathal.

RHINO
Trainer: Juan Landeros
Last race: May 5, race 4
Finish: 4th by 17 1/2
Beyer: 51
Gelded underachiever had a tough trip in Cal-bred maiden dirt route. Uncomfortable inside, shuffled first turn, hard-held, unrelaxed, chucked it. Follow vs. Cal-bred turf maidens.

OLD PAL
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: May 5, 10th
Finish: 1st by 1/2
Beyer: 84
Off nearly a year, turf router scored impressive victory in entry-level allowance turf mile. Lagged early, ran faster each successive quarter-mile, finished in 22.74. Up the ladder.