Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Jan. 3, 2022
BRIGHT LEAF
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Dec. 31, race 2
Finish: DNF
Beyer: NA
On way to victory in starter allowance mile, propped in deep stretch and lost rider. Now proven at two turns, can win similar starter allowance route for 3-year-olds of 2022.
GOT THUNDER
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Dec. 31, race 6
Finish: 2nd by 5 1/2
Beyer: 59
Beaten favorite in both his sprints after pressing pace, willing to give 3-year-old maiden another shot at two turns. Bred-to-route colt may prefer off-the-pace strategy.
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SETTECENTO
Trainer: Cliff Sise
Last race: Dec. 31, race 9
Finish: 2nd by 6 3/4
Beyer: 50
Older debut gelding in $20,000 maiden-claiming sprint not quick from rail, rallied to midpack, angled outside and finished evenly. Bred to route, style suggests likewise.
WORSE READ SANCHEZ
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Jan. 1, race 1
Finish: 4th by 5 1/2
Beyer: 62
Second-start Cal-bred maiden took up early in turf sprint, dropped out, unleashed middle move on turn, angled out, finished well. Racing into shape, next start should be his best.
QUEEN OF THORNS
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Last race: Jan. 1, race 2
Finish: 1st by 8
Beyer: 73
Smashing sprint debut by well-regarded Violence filly. Sped to lead, cruised along, won easily. Likely class test Grade 3 Las Virgenes, mile race for 3-year-old fillies on Feb. 6.
OVIATT CLASS
Trainer: Keith Desormeaux
Last race: Jan. 1, race 7
Finish: 3rd by 2 3/4
Beyer: 83
Returnee horse to watch ran well in slow-pace Grade 3 mile. Trailed early, angled outside, finished well. Sleeper Derby candidate needs true pace to show his stuff.
YOUTE
Trainer: Cliff Sise
Last race: Jan. 2, race 2
Finish: 4th by 3 1/2
Beyer: 56
Super debut in turf sprint for Cal-bred maiden fillies. Hopped start, green, middle move, stuck behind rivals on turn and in lane, finished well without being asked. Rock solid.
MAGLEV
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Jan. 2, race 10
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 75
Favored in turf mile, 3-year-old broke slowly, rank, blocked on turn and into lane, snuck inside, finished well. Hard-pulling Euro might like hill, Baffle Stakes for 3yos is Jan. 30.