Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of May 15, 2023
SANTA ANITA
CLASSICALLY
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: May 12, 1st
Finish: Third by 3 1/2
Beyer: 66
Maiden was expected to be forwardly placed in turf mile but bobbled, lost position, steadied slightly first turn, dropped to second half of field, then made minor rally. Older gelding is better than this indicates.
CARIBBEAN KING
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Last race: May 12, 1st
Finish: Fourth by 3 1/2
Beyer: 66
A first-time starter racing a mile on turf, this Speightstown colt ran well. Lagged early, raced at least three wide throughout, then finished evenly. Respectable debut, should improve next out.
SHE’S MY NIECE
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: May 12, 3rd
Finish: Fourth by 6 1/2
Beyer: 39
Juvenile filly was favored against males off string of fast works but lost her chance at the break. Off slow, wide, raced greenly in lane, then lacked a rally. Hard Spun miss is better than this debut.
GHOSTLY ACT
Trainer: Debbie Winick
Last race: May 12, 6th
Finish: Second by 1 1/2
Beyer: 69
Improving maiden stretched to two turns on turf, uncorked 22.73 final quarter-mile that was the fastest of anyone in the field, and posted a third successive runner-up finish. Next time, long on turf.
HULA CANDY
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: May 13, 5th
Finish: Fifth by 4 1/4
Beyer: 56
Making his career debut at age 5, Twirling Candy maiden was well bet at 3.60-1, broke horribly from the rail, trailed turf sprint by many, finished with run and then galloped out willingly past the wire.
PLANETARIO
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: May 13, 9th
Finish: Second by 1 1/4
Beyer: 95
A Group 1 winner in Brazil, comebacker ran well in Grade 3 marathon. Lagged, rallied wide, big finish, second best. Likely rematch vs. winner Offlee Naughty in Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano on June 18.
MISS LIZZY
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: May 14, 1st
Finish: Fourth by 1 3/4
Beyer: 68
A maiden winner in her previous start, this turf-sprint filly had a tough trip against winners. Broke last, heavy traffic into turn, finished fairly well. Fits in nonwinners-of-two starter.
ECONOMICAL
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race; May 14, 7th
Finish: third by 9 3/4
Beyer: 59
Two-turn claiming gelding runs best from slightly off but engaged in pace duel, battled into lane, tired. Claimed by O’Neill from Sean McCarthy, can rebound in N2L claiming route.
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