Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for week of May 16-18, 2025
LA VILLE LUMIERE
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: May 16, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 74
Debut 2-year-old sped to lead, worn down by favorite, finished more than six lengths clear of third. City of Light filly galloped out willingly past wire in a promising debut.
CHURCH LADY
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: May 17, 1st
Finish: 3rd by 3 1/2
Beyer: 69
Maiden turf filly bumped at start, keen and rank midpack behind slow pace, rail trip, angled outside, finished okay, race was dominated by speed. Better than looked.
BIG BILL
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: May 17, 6th
Finish: 2nd by neck
Beyer: 63
Debut colt not quick in turf sprint, shuffled early, midpack on rail, fast finish, galloped out well. Solid debut by California-bred sired by English Channel. May want longer.
KING OF CLUBS
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: May 17, 7th
Finish: 4th by 7
Beyer: 71
Older Cal-bred allowance gelding regressed on dirt. Lagged, raced evenly, late kick ineffective on speed-friendly dirt track. He can return to form in return to turf.
OUR BUCKY CHARM
Trainer: Mike Puype
Last race: May 17, 8th
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 90
Older gelding ran super in N1X turf sprint. Dueled, put away pace rivals, led into stretch, collared by last-to-first winner. He can be long gone next time. Turf only.
HARMONIQUE
Trainer: Neil Drysdale
Last race: May 18, 10th
Finish: 10th by 14 1/4
Beyer: 38
Well-bred filly hated turf first out. Nyquist filly, a sibling to Grade 1 winner Battle of Midway, floundered without getting involved. She is worth following in dirt race.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.