Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of April 4
WHISKEY TICKET, by Ghostzapper
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: March 31, 4th
Finish: 2nd by head
Beyer: 94
First start in nine months, this Grade 3 winner pressed a strong pace, fought back late, and finished clear of third in a fine comeback. He will be tough next out in a similar N2X.
PRIME ISSUE, by Tannersmyman
Trainer: Keith Desormeaux
Last race: April 1, 6th
Finish: 2nd by head
Beyer: 82
Sprinting is not his game, but this eight-time winner ran super while dueling on a fast pace. Claimed by Desormeaux from Peter Miller, he figures in a California-bred N1X/optional $20,000 claiming route.
MISS GIFTED, by Einstein
Trainer: Gary Sherlock
Last race: April 1, 8th
Finish: 4th by 10 3/4
Beyer: 65
Off slowly in a turf route, pulled hard early, veered out on the first turn while unhappy, shuffled back in traffic into the far turn, and finished evenly. Trouble-prone filly prefers to sprint.
JAZZIE CAT, by Tenga Cat
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: April 2, 9th
Finish: 1st by 5 1/2
Beyer: 78
A powerful win in California-bred maiden-$50,000 by a lightly raced gelding stamps him as the horse to beat while moving up to a starter allowance. He is fast, he can finish, and is in good hands.
TRIBAL TRIBUTE, by Tribal Rule
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: April 3, 4th
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/4
Beyer: 93
Off slowly, in tight early, blocked into and through much of stretch, this good turf router could have won this $65K-75K claiming race with a better trip. Follow vs. similar.
TENGAS RANSOM, by Tenga Cat
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: April 3, 9th
Finish: 2nd by 1 3/4
Beyer: 75
First start in eight months, this 3-year-old California-bred maiden ran a winning race, the runner-up to an odds-on favorite while nearly seven clear of third. He should be tough next time.