Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Jan. 11, 2021
MORAZ
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Jan. 8, race 4
Finish: 1st by 11
Beyer: 79
Maiden 3-year-old filly calmer in paddock and pre-race than in her debut, and romped while ridden out. Slow time (1:38.47) due to surface. Well-bred filly has stakes potential.
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GATOR SHINING
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Last race: Jan. 8, race 5
Finish: 2nd by nose
Beyer: 73
Favored in maiden turf sprint, but steadied and lost position at start. Trailed, made extended rally while wide on the turn, finished five lengths clear of third. Sitting on maiden win.
SHE’S A DIME
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Jan. 9, race 2
Finish: 3rd by 6 1/4
Beyer: 68
Broke dead last in statebred allowance, trailed field, finished willingly in race dominated by pacesetter/favorite. Late-running sprinter can win this condition with clean takeoff.
CLASS REUNION
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Jan. 10, race 3
Finish: 4th by 4
Beyer: 66
Curlin filly debuted in sprint, lacked speed, raced wide, finished with run, and galloped out super after the wire. Promising debut by 3-year-old who wants two turns.
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ITALIANO
Trainer: Vann Belvoir
Last race: Jan. 10, race 6
Finish: 4th by 2
Beyer: 80
Veteran compromised by unexpectedly quick dirt surface that favored speed, made no impact rallying from behind. Fits in $32-40k claiming sprint. Form better than it looks.
MISS DRACARYS
Trainer: Neil Drysdale
Last race: Jan. 10, race 9
Finish: 5th by 1 3/4
Beyer: 73
Favored in N1X turf sprint, filly was anchored early, keen and unrelaxed behind traffic, angled out for the drive, finished with run, galloped out in front. Race was better-than-looked.