Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Oct. 23, 2023
CRYPTO MAN
Trainer: Simon Callaghan
Last race: Oct. 20, 1st
Finish: 3rd by head
Beyer: 75
Maiden-claiming turf gelding was blocked and buried far turn and into the stretch. Did not have a fair shot as the odds-on favorite. Can handle $50,000 to $62,500 maiden-claiming company with clean trip.
MENDEZ MILE
Trainer: Luis Mendez
Last race: Oct. 21, 2nd
Finish: 3rd by 2
Beyer: 72
A sprinter his first 10 starts, Mendez Mile was unable to stay the mile distance in this $10,000 claiming route. Rail trip just off pace, evenly late, no kick. Watch for a return to one turn.
WHISTLER’S STYLE
Trainer: Ruby Thomas
Last race: Oct. 21, 3rd
Finish: 4th by 5 1/4
Beyer: 73
Veteran mare broke slowly, raced three and four wide from start to finish, and had no shot after losing so much ground. Claimed for $20,000 by Thomas from Vladimir Cerin, can rebound with a better trip.
SETTECENTO
Trainer: Bob Hess Jr.
Last race: Oct. 21, 4th
Finish: 4th by 2 3/4
Beyer: 72
Tough trip for mid-level claiming gelding at one mile. Broke on top, hugged rail, rated to third, checked and steadied backstretch, re-bid two wide, dueled, cracked eighth pole. Uneasy trip.
NYSOS
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Oct. 21, 9th
Finish: 1st by 10 1/2
Beyer: 96
Debut juvenile dueled two wide, shook free into stretch, romped while ridden out. His 1:08.97 time was meet’s fastest six furlongs on a fast track. Nyquist colt with deep female family is a future star.
TOM SEAVER
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Oct. 22, 1st
Finish: 1st by 3/4
Beyer: 53
Grazen colt from stakes winner Enola Gray won debut despite racing greenly. Not quick, was wide on turn and into lane, lugged in, wore down leaders. Hasn’t figured it out yet, but won anyway.
PALAGIO
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: Oct. 22, 8th
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 76
Recently gelded maiden making 11th start was bumped inward in dirt sprint, was devoid of speed, rallied wide, finished evenly. He wants two turns. This was an improved effort as a first-time gelding.
TOUCHDOWN KITTLE
Trainer: George Papaprodomou
Last race: Oct. 22, 9th
Finish: 3rd by 3
Beyer: 67
Stretch-out maiden was expected to make lead in turf route, but broke in a tangle and caught inside and behind rivals, loomed into lane, went flat. With a clean break next out, he is the one to catch.
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