Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Oct. 28, 2019
BIG BARREL
Trainer: Gary Stute
Last race: Oct. 24, 8th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 73
Stretching to two turns, this low-level claiming gelding ran super. Dueled through strong fractions over a dead track, shook off a pace rival, and was collared. Claimed by Stute. Long gone next out?
THOUSAND WORDS
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Oct. 26, 4th
Finish: 1st by 1/2
Beyer: 88
This $1 million juvenile colt was favored first out and ran to the action. Pressed a fast pace, inched clear of a tough rival late. Sibling to multiple graded winner Salutos Amigos could be any type.
MUCHO UNUSUAL
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Last race: Oct. 26, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 2
Beyer: 84
A stakes-winning turf filly returning from short break, she hit heavy traffic in the stretch, was blocked, and did not have a clear trip in better-than-looked effort in Grade 3 turf mile.
DIVINE ARMOR
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Oct. 26, 4th
Finish: 3rd by 6 3/4
Beyer: 73
Bred to run long, this 2-year-old sired by Include dropped out early from the inside post in a sprint, lagged back, and finished well in a promising debut. Eventually will stretch to a route.
AUBERGE
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: Oct. 27, 3rd
Finish: 1st by 7 3/4
Beyer: 86
A first-time starter at odds-on, this $570,000 juvenile filly ran to the action in dominating debut victory. Sired by Palace, this Iowa-bred is a sibling to a multiple stakes winner. The sky is the limit.
GOVERNANCE
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Last race: Oct. 27, 4th
Finish: 4th by 1 1/4
Beyer: 65
A fast pace foiled this 2-year-old in a maiden turf mile. He sped to the lead, set quick fractions, led to near the eighth pole, and faded in race dominated by closers. Rounding to top form.
- Brad Free