Brad Free's Santa Anita horses to watch from week of Oct. 27-Nov. 5, 2023
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SANTA ANITA
MISS KALINE
Trainer: Bob Hess Jr.
Last race: Oct. 27, 2nd
Finish: 4th by 3 1/2
Beyer: 51
Favored in N2L claiming dirt route, filly broke last, pulled, launched wide rally far turn, loomed quarter pole, tired. Solid effort, $16K claim by Hess from Ray Bell, fits vs. similar.
DUSTY SPRINGFIELD
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Oct. 28, 1st
Finish: 3rd by 3 3/4
Beyer: 63
Odds-on in Cal-bred maiden turf sprint, filly was blocked the final quarter-mile. She had no shot. Sibling to stakes winners Alice Marble and Enola Gray, she can win next out.
YERWANTHERE
Trainer: Paddy Gallagher
Last race: Oct. 28, 7th
Finish: 1st by 1 1/4
Beyer: 78
Impressive second start back by N1X turf filly. Settled at back saving ground, rallied wide into lane, 23.01 final quarter, drew off without being asked. Sharp win, follow up the ladder.
RENEGADE PRINCESS
Trainer: Bob Hess Jr.
Last race: Oct. 29, 2nd
Finish: 4th by 16
Beyer: 55
Cold in the betting in Cal-bred allowance dirt route, lost ground throughout, under a drive far turn, sputtered. She was in tough, fits in low claiming, and she does like the Del Mar surface.
ISLAND CRUISER
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Nov. 2, 3rd
Finish: 2nd by head
Beyer: 64
Promising debut by 2yo colt in turf sprint. Off slowly from rail, rated at rear, green, rallied wide, lengthened stride, finished well. Catalina Cruiser colt ran like he may want two turns.
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CRITICISM
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Nov. 2, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 3 1/4
Beyer: 56
Solid debut by 2yo filly in dirt sprint. Forwardly placed five wide, four wide through turn, made lead into lane, tired after ground-losing trip. This was a creditable launch to her career.
MO FOX GIVIN
Trainer: Leonard Powell
Last race: Nov. 3, 1st
Finish: 3rd by 4
Beyer: 66
Juvenile filly four wide early in turf mile stakes, pressed fast pace, led into lane, swallowed by late-runners. Sharp local debut, would fit in Grade 3 Jimmy Durante on Dec. 2 at Del Mar.
SHE FEELS PRETTY
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Last race: Nov. 3, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 3/4
Beyer: 78
Favored in BC Juvenile Fillies Turf, broke from post 11, settled just off pace, at least three wide both turns, battled through lane, missed. She lost more ground than margin of defeat.
LOCKED
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last race: Nov. 3, 8th
Finish: 3rd by 6 3/4
Beyer: 94
Third best in BC Juvenile, colt can be a factor in the 2024 spring classics. Rail near back, asked to keep up, angled out, finished willingly. The longer, the better for Derby prospect.
GOLD PHOENIX
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Nov. 4, 8th
Finish: 4th by 2 1/4
Beyer: 102
Gelding outran 51-1 odds in BC Turf, rallying from far back with sharp 22.73 final quarter. Two-time graded winner at Del Mar would fit perfectly in Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup Nov. 24.
HAWKER
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Nov. 5, 3rd
Finish: 6th by 1 3/4
Beyer: 79
Comeback allowance turf colt was outrun early in turf sprint, blocked length of lane while never having a chance to run. This was a useful prep race nonetheless, worth following.
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