Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Jan. 30, 2023
ADMIRALTY PLACE
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Jan. 27, 1st
Finish: 2nd by 3 1/2
Beyer: 76
Eight-start maiden ran super in turf mile. Lagged near back, stalled in traffic far turn, big kick, ran faster each successive quarter-mile, turf-mile maiden win forthcoming.
OCTOPUS
Trainer: Jeff Mullins Jr.
Last race: Jan. 27 7th
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/4
Beyer: 77
Veteran sprinter dueled inside, shook off pace foe, kicked away in stretch, collared by come-from-behind one-two finishers. Excellent effort, fits at $25-$32k claiming level.
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CORNELIA FORT
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Jan. 28, 4th
Finish: 1st by 2 3/4
Beyer: 58
Rail trip and modest figure aside, maiden win was strong, claimed for $50k by Sadler from Steve Miyadi. By Grazen from Unusual Heat mare, a logical candidate for turf.
PARNELLI
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: Jan. 28, 8th
Finish: 3rd by 1
Beyer: 94
Former Derby hope, now a 5-year-old, has returned to form. Pressed pace in Grade 2 route, battled back, worn down with career-high fig. Santa Anita Handicap potential.
GEAUX ROCKET RIDE
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Jan. 29, 3rd
Finish: 1st by 5 3/4
Beyer: 92
Debut colt by Candy Ride, chilly in betting at 6-1, ran as if should have been favored. Popped gate, set pace inside, kicked away. Impressive display of speed by fast colt.
GRAZED MY HEART
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: Jan. 29, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 1
A two-turn stakes winner, this Cal-bred filly was up against it in starter-allowance turf sprint. Lagged, still far back turning for home, finished fast but too late, needs two turns.
MOTORIOUS
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Jan. 29, 8th
Finish: 2nd by 2 1/2
Beyer: 91
Turf sprinter flattered by race flow in recent allowance wins, got no help in stakes. Hard-held behind tepid pace, last crossing dirt, split foes, big kick, winner got jump.
BIG DRINKER
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: Jan. 29, 9th
Finish: 6th by 12 1/2
Beyer: 39
Favored in Cal-bred maiden-claiming sprint but it all went wrong. Broke slowly, wide, sputtered, race won by pacesetter. Miller $50k claim from Jeff Bonde can rebound.
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