Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of April 3, 2023
SANTA ANITA
DONCIC
Trainer: Vladimir Cerin
Last race: March 31, 1st
Finish: 2nd by neck
Beyer: 93
Comeback turf sprinter ran super making first start in 10 months. Chased hot pace, fought back inside, finished more than three lengths clear. Should handle non-winners of three starter next time out.
KANDEREL
Trainer: George Papaprodomou
Last race: March 31, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 1
Beyer: 78
An early career stakes winner, veteran gelding should have won this $25k claiming turf sprint. Stumbled badly, away last, finished with a rush, would have won easily with a clean break.
BIG SWITCH
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: March 31, 7th
Finish: 2nd by head
Beyer: 92
California-bred stakes winner ran the best race of her career in fast allowance route. Fought odds-on winner to wire, finished more than five lengths clear, threat in graded or Cal-bred stakes.
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SHAMBALA GIRL
Trainer: Steve Knapp
Last race: April 1, 2nd
Finish: 3rd by 8
Beyer: 30
Well-bet debut filly broke last from rail in Cal-bred maiden-claiming sprint, spotted field double digits, evenly thereafter. Stable on a roll this season, filly looms win candidate second time out.
ULTIMATE GAMBLE
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: April 1, 4th
Finish: 1st by 2 1/4
Beyer: 89
This $1.75 million juvenile, a 3-year-old colt by Medaglia d’Oro, returned from layoff with strong maiden win. Pressed pace, full stride, can handle entry-level allowance, stakes potential.
TIZZ A GOOD THING
Trainer: Carla Gaines
Last race: April 1, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 3 3/4
Beyer: 54
Favored first out in Cal-bred maiden turf sprint, pressed fast pace, tired through lane, respectable third. Maidens from this stable typically improve with racing, expect likewise with Vronsky colt.
HONEY JAR
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: April 1, 7th
Finish: 4th by 3
Beyer: 86
Front-running mare eligible to second allowance condition took a shot in Grade 2 turf mile, set pace, tired final furlong in race dominated by late-runners. Can wire N2X turf next out, short or long.
FOOTHILL
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: April 2, 4th
Finish: 3rd by 3 1/2
Beyer: 72
Favored in Cal-bred allowance route, veteran again showed he is less effective on dirt. Three-time turf winner gave way readily deep stretch. Can return to form when back on preferred turf footing.
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