Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for week of Sept. 27-29, 2024

BARBERA
Trainer: Aggie Ordonez
Last race: Sept. 27, 2nd
Finish: 1st by 4 3/4
Beyer: 74
Claiming filly exploited speed-friendly surface to dominate N3L claiming sprint. Sped to lead, opened up, plenty left late. Lightly raced this year, loves Santa Anita, can repeat.

ASADA FRIES
Trainer: Craig Lewis
Last race: Sept. 28, 1st
Finish: 5th by 3/4
Beyer: 81
Stakes-placed filly off more than six months ran like she needed a start. Not quick, midpack trip in turf sprint, angled outside, finished evenly. Solid comeback prep, she wants two turns.

DAY AND AGE
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Sept. 28, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 8 1/2
Beyer: 66
Debut 2-year-old colt broke well in sprint, lacked speed, raced greenly, under a ride on turn, rallied wide, even finish. This race should move him up, Omaha Beach colt may want longer.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

DAIRAGO
Trainer: Bob Hess, Jr.
Last race: Sept. 28, 3rd
Finish: 4th by 2 1/2
Beyer: 80
Euro import trailed maiden turf mile, angled out in lane, and went one-paced. This was an inconclusive comeback by two-start colt that may want longer distance. He can improve.

ZONA VERDE
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Sept. 28, 5th
Finish: 5th by 5 1/2
Beyer: 74
Route-to-sprint filly off slowly in hillside stakes, trailed field, wide into lane, race won by pacesetter. Zona Verde might prefer Del Mar turf anyway, but this race was a complete toss.

GOLD PHOENIX
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Sept. 28, 7th
Finish: 5th by 3
Beyer: 92
Slow pace compromised veteran in Grade 2 turf route. Lagged in second flight while 1-2-3-4 pacesetters dominated. ’Phoenix loves Del Mar, might outrun high odds Breeders’ Cup Turf.

NEWGATE
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Sept. 28, 9th
Finish: 3rd by head
Beyer: 102
Off six months, Santa Anita Handicap winner ran super in this Grade 1. Fifth behind slow pace, lost ground rallying wide, missed. He’ll be a fitter colt in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

MOMENT’S PLEASURE
Trainer: Craig Lewis
Last race: Sept. 29, 10th
Finish: 3rd by 2 3/4
Beyer: 79
A 3-year-old allowance filly, she raced wide throughout in turf mile. Four wide first turn, three wide remainder of trip, lacked a kick. She had no shot, and is better than this indicates.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.