Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of May 9, 2022
BRIEFCASE GIRL
Trainer: Carla Gaines
Last race: May 6, race 1
Finish: Second by 1
Beyer: 72
Debut filly in special-weight turf sprint was tons best. Broke awkwardly, lagged next to last, lost ground on turn and into stretch, finished well, race won by rail-trip pacesetter.
TAKE A LEAP
Trainer: Reed Saldana
Last race: May 7, race 6
Finish: 6th by 4 1/2
Beyer: 61
Nine-win veteran mare pinched at break, clipped heels, lost all chance, narrowed gap late, better-than-looked. Claimed for $12,500 by Saldana, fits in low claiming sprint or route.
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SIXTEEN ARCHES
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: May 7, race 9
Finish: 4th by 4
Beyer: 71
Entry-level allowance filly had brutal trip in hillside sprint. Unable to establish position while wide, floated 10-wide crossing dirt, finished okay, ran a lot better than it looks.
FAST DRAW MUNNINGS
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: May 8, race 3
Finish: 3rd by 6 1/2
Beyer: 83
Cal-bred stakes winner gelded since last start, tucked third on the rail in entry-level allowance route vs. open company, kept to task, career-best figure. Improving 3-year-old.
COMMANDER KHAI
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: May 8, race 4
Finish: 4th by 2 1/2
Beyer: 81
Pace-presser broke dead last in non-winners of three starter turf sprint. Trailed, scraped paint on turn, angled out, finished well, could have given winner a fight with clean start.
KIRSTENBOSCH
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: May 8, race 5
Finish: 2nd by 2 1/4
Beyer: 79
Lightly raced 3-year-old filly broke last in dirt sprint stake. Trailed field, rallied outside, finished well in race won by pacesetter, galloped out super after wire. Excellent effort.
ADMIRAL HALSEY
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: May 8, race 6
Finish: 2nd by nose
Beyer: 79
Seven-start maiden stumbled at start of turf sprint, rallied wide, made lead in lane, winner re-rallied inside. Another missed opportunity by Admiral Halsey, though he ran well.
PRAY FOR ME RAY
Trainer: Mike Puype
Last race: May 8, race 6
Finish: Fifth by 2
Beyer: 73
Four-year-old first-time starter ran well in turf sprint. Off slow, void of speed, wide rally, finished on his own. This was only a prep race for large-sized gelding, it was a good one.