Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Dec. 28, 2020
WIPE THE SLATE
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Dec. 26, race 2
Finish: 1st by 3 1/4
Beyer: 88
Second-start Nyquist colt looked like a budding star in decisive blinkers-on maiden romp at seven furlongs. Pressed three wide, strong late. Joins list of 2021 Derby candidates.
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WHISPER NOT
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Last race: Dec. 26, race 4
Finish: 3rd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 94
Blocked on rail most of final quarter-mile in Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile, this colt validated his highly rated runner-up U.S. debut. Eligible to first allowance condition.
ARMOUR PLATE
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: Dec. 27, race 5
Finish: 4th by 4 3/4
Beyer: 74
Class-drop gelding had no chance in $25k claiming N2L turf route. Blocked on rail final quarter-mile, kept under a hold length of lane with nowhere to run. Fits against similar.
MASTER RYAN
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Dec. 27, race 7
Finish: 4th by 1 1/2
Beyer: 80
Trouble-prone gelding had another bad trip in Cal-bred N1X turf sprint. Steadied sharply and shuffled on backstretch, saved ground, rallied, but had too much trouble. Ran better than looked.
THE CHOSEN VRON
Trainer: Eric Kruljac
Last race: Dec. 27, race 8
Finish: 1st by 6 3/4
Beyer: 86
Cal-bred maiden firster bet to favoritism, ran to the action. Popped gate, sped to lead, dominated in fastest performance of 2020 by a Cal-bred juvenile in Southern California.
MISS TEHERAN
Trainer: Chad Brown
Last race: Dec. 27, Race 9
Finish: 4th by 1 3/4
Beyer: 88
Favored in Grade 3 turf route, off slowly, rank, premature move to lead half-mile pole, led into lane, tired. Horrible trip by East Coast shipper. Eligible to second-level allowance.