Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Oct. 25, 2021
DON’T SWEAR DAVE
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: Oct. 22, race 4
Finish: 2nd by 6 1/2
Beyer: 68
This maiden 2-year-old colt improved second time out. Settled midpack, finished evenly behind odds-on winner, galloped out willingly. Might want longer. Follow in third start.
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ROSE MADDOX
Trainer: Steve Miyadi
Last race: Oct. 22, race 7
Finish: 2nd by neck
Beyer: 60
Maiden sprint winner was bred for this turf route, but got trapped inside and behind foes on backstretch while in-the-clear winner got first run. Rose Maddox finished well, was best.
SHOPPINGFORPHAROAH
Trainer: Jonathan Wong
Last race: Oct. 23, race 9
Finish: 2nd by 1
Beyer: 63
Debut 2-year-old cold in betting in turf sprint. Popped gate, sped to led, set fast pace, led to deep stretch, nailed. Super debut by American Pharoah filly. Long gone next time.
FIRST PREMIO
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Last race: Oct. 24, race 3
Finish: 3rd by 1/2
Beyer: 83
Odds-on in turf mile, but compromised by strategy. Broke on top in race with slow pace, curiously rated, stuck behind foes, rallied inside, missed. Claimed for $40,000 by Yakteen. Solid.
BONNIE BRAE
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Oct. 24, race 4
Finish: 4th by 5 3/4
Beyer: 48
First-time starter broke slowly in Cal-bred sprint, made middle move wide on turn, flattened out in promising debut. Sired by Grazen, sibling to stakes winner can move up next out.
FACETIOUS
Trainer: Mike Puype
Last race: Oct. 24, race 9
Finish: 6th by 8 3/4
Beyer: 42
Somewhat chilly in betting despite super debut. Got midpack trip in maiden turf sprint, caught in a pickle between rivals at quarter pole, steadied, that was that. Call it inconclusive.