Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Oct. 18, 2021
ESSENTIAL WAGER
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Oct. 15, race 2
Finish: 2nd by 3 1/2
Beyer: 81
Debut 3-year-old broke slowly and stumbled soon after start of maiden sprint, made early move on backstretch to make lead inside three-way speed jam, battled, tired. Promising debut.
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BALLET DANCING
Trainer: Simon Callaghan
Last race: Oct. 15, race 5
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/4
Beyer: 52
Well-bred and well-regarded debut filly by Medaglia d’Oro broke slowly in turf mile, raced three and four wide throughout, went evenly late. She might want dirt. Much potential.
DURANTE
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Oct. 15, race 8
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 86
Second-start 2-year-old improved stretching to a mile after an off-the-board sprint debut. Sped to lead, set pace, fought back, finished nine lengths clear of third. Maiden win forthcoming.
BALLY’S CHARM
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: Oct. 15, race 9
Finish: 4th by 3 3/4
Beyer: 44
Debut gelding in turf mile lost ground forwardly placed three and four wide throughout, made lead top of lane, then weakened. Cal-bred should improve next out with better trip.
I GOT NO MUNNY
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Oct. 16, race 4
Finish: 3rd by 3
Beyer: 84
Odds-on to win second-level allowance sprint, tossed head and broke in the air to be last away. Chased pace, wide through turn, loomed, tired. Consistent gelding was much best.
FEARLESS GIRL
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Oct. 16, race 5
Finish: 5th by 1 3/4
Beyer: 80
Repeat horse to watch with another bad trip in N1X turf route. Along the rail in midpack, she was blocked behind foes through final quarter-mile, never had a chance. Deserves another shot.
VIVACIOUS VANESSA
Trainer: Gary Mandella
Last race: Oct. 16, race 9
Finish: 1st by 1 1/2
Beyer: 60
Debut filly in Cal-bred maiden turf mile bet from 15-1 program odds to start at 7-2. Hopped at start, keen early, split rivals in lane, powered home, visually impressive. Up the ladder.
PERCOLATE
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Oct. 17, race 3
Finish: 6th by 5 3/4
Beyer: 60
Maiden juvenile saved ground in turf mile, blocked with nowhere to run final quarter-mile, steadied in lane, coasted home. Inconclusive run. Juvenile worth following at Del Mar.