Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for week of Oct. 3-5, 2025
CONQUISTADORA
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Oct. 3, 1st
Finish: 3rd by 3 1/2
Beyer: 61
This debut juvenile filly ran well in maiden turf mile. Not quick, race next to last, rallied wide far turn, finished evenly . Decent debut by Justify filly, who can improve next out.
SEPTEMBERSIXTYFOUR
Trainer: Mike Puype
Last race: Oct. 3, 7th
Finish: 5th by 2 3/4
Beyer: 78
Lightly raced gelding sped to crazy seven-length lead in allowance turf mile, sizzled half-mile in 46, tired late, ran well. A work in progress, he must learn to ration speed.
GRAZED
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: Oct. 4, 1st
Finish: 4th by 1/2
Beyer: 77
Veteran turf sprinter broke slowly in Cal-bred allowance, was blocked early, rolled to mid-pack, waited, angled out, finished well. Sharp 7-year-old fits in similar spot, prefers Santa Anita over Del Mar.
CRUISE HOME
Trainer: Dean Pederson
Last race: Oct. 4, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 1
Beyer: 59
Debut 2-year-old broke last from rail, trailed field, angled outside for drive, finished well, and galloped out in front. This was a promising debut in Cal-bred maiden sprint. Maybe next time.
OCEAN BEAR
Trainer: George Papaprodromou
Last race: Oct. 4, race 7
Finish: 1st by 1 3/4
Beyer: 70
Solid Cal-bred allowance win by 2-year-old. Inside trip, blocked on rail through turn, waited, angled off fence, was strong late. Fits in $175,000 Golden Stakes Juvenile on Oct. 31 at Del Mar.
WARM SUN AND BREW
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Oct. 5, race 10
Finish: 2nd by 2
Beyer: 66
Debut 3-year-old was bumped and squeezed at start of Cal-bred maiden turf sprint, raced in traffic, angled outside for drive, finished in full stride in race won by pacesetter. This was a promising debut.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.