Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Jan. 31, 2022
STORMING LADY
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: Jan. 29, race 1
Finish: 4th by 2
Beyer: 74
Turf sprint mare shuffled slightly on inside, midpack trip in 10-runner field, rallied on her own late between runners. Overall, it was an uncomfortable trip, can do better.
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FAMILY AFFAIR
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Last race: Jan. 29, race 6
Finish: 5th by 9 3/4
Beyer: 59
Disastrous debut by older filly. Odds-on based on fast works, off slowly from rail, hard-held inside, steadied and shuffled into turn, faltered. Has speed, will use it next time out.
EXIT SOUL
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Jan. 29, race 9
Finish: 6th by 4
Beyer: 66
Repeat “horse to watch” lister was rated in maiden turf mile, rallied inside, steadied sharply on rail near furlong pole, re-rallied. Expected pilot switch, longer trip next time.
ANACONDA
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: Jan. 30, race 3
Finish: 1st by 2 3/4
Beyer: 90
Comeback 5-year-old off 13 months scored smashing off-the-pace victory in entry-level allowance turf sprint. Uncorked turn of late foot, won going away, can handle class hike.
LA PULCINETA
Trainer: Manuel Ortiz
Last race: Jan. 30, race 4
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 70
Claiming mare got stuck in traffic in dirt sprint, waited and waited for room through turn while winner rallied wide, finished okay. Claimed by Ortiz, fits in N3L claiming sprint.
ISLAND OF LOVE
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Jan. 30, race 5
Finish: 2nd by 1 3/4
Beyer: 70
European import stretching out for the first time, ran well in mile turf stakes. Bumped, keen, waited far turn while winner got jump, angled out, second best. Decent comeback.
DON’T SWEAR DAVE
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Jan. 30, 9th
Finish: 2nd by 2 3/4
Beyer: 67
Vastly improved on turf, 3-year-old had impossible trip in turf sprint. Pulled, unrelaxed, steadied and shuffled on turn, finished with minimal encouragement, better than looked.
COOL ACCLAIM
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Jan. 29, 3rd
Finish: 5th by 3 1/2
Beyer: 49
Debut 3-year-old broke last in turf sprint, extended run to chase from third, loomed into lane, tired. Super effort, gelded afterward, probably wants two turns. Promising Cal-bred.