Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Jan. 2, 2023
I’M A GAMBLER
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Dec. 26, race 1
Finish: Fourth by two lengths
Beyer: 87
Inconclusive U.S. debut by import in turf stake. Saved ground, blocked quarter pole into lane, then delivered no kick. Willing to give another shot vs. similar stakes rivals.
FAUSTIN
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Dec. 26, race 4
Finish: First by two and three-quarter lengths
Beyer: 87
Debut colt by Curlin good enough to win first out at six furlongs. Outrun and shuffled slightly, took dirt, angled outside, going away. Promising 3-year-old colt for 2023.
YELLOW BRICK
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Dec. 26, race 4
Finish: Third by six and one-quarter lengths
Beyer: 75
Quality Road colt wants to route; ran well in debut sprint. Lagged off pace, finished evenly, solid prep race. Follow when stretches to mile and sixteenth in early 2023.
MALTESE FALCON
Trainer: Leonard Powell
Last race: Dec. 26, race 5
Finish: Fourth by two and one-half lengths
Beyer: 64
European import ran super in maiden turf mile. Keen, unrelaxed behind runners first half-mile, in traffic far turn, kicked late, 23.06 final quarter. Follow in maiden race.
JEWELLED SHILLEELAGH
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Dec. 30, race 5
Finish: Sixth by three lengths
Beyer: 68
Maiden colt racing into shape. Keen in turf mile, rail trip third, seemed to lose interest into the lane, then re-rallied. Strange trip by 3yo still learning the game.
TEA N CONVERSATION
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Dec. 30, race 9
Finish: Fourth by two and one-quarter lengths
Beyer: 70
This filly ran super in turf stake. Far back in mile race dominated by speed, smoked final quarter in 23.30, wants longer. Set up for solid 3-year-old campaign in 2023.
BOLD ENDEAVOR
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: Dec. 31, race 2
Finish: First by nose
Beyer: 91
Veteran dropped to $50k claiming and returned to peak form in fast dirt mile. Claimed by Miller from Mark Glatt, can repeat in similar allowance/optional claiming route.
TIO MAGICO
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Jan. 2, race 10
Finish: fourth by two and three-quarter lengths
Beyer: 84
Entry-level allowance turf-route gelding did not have a fair shot as favorite. Steadied early, trapped inside and behind runners, waited and waited, finished well, too late.
– Brad Free
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