Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Oct. 7, 2019
POSTER GIRL
Trainer: Bill Spawr
Last race: Oct. 3, 5th
Finish: 1st by 3 1/4
Beyer: 99
Veteran turf mare dropped to second-level allowance/optional claiming, crushed with 23-and-small-change final quarter. Claimed for $62,500 by Spawr from Matt Chew. Up the ladder.
HUDSON RIVER PARK
Trainer: Cliff Sise
Last race: Oct. 5, 1st
Finish: 3rd by 1 3/4
Beyer: 72
This 3-year-old firster is no sprinter, but ran well anyway. Curlin gelding is sibling to three graded winners. Void of speed at six furlongs, he trailed the field and put in a big finish and gallop-out.
LUCKY STEPPER
Trainer: Carla Gaines
Last race: Oct. 3, 3rd
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 63
This runner-up filly was probably best in a turf mile for $25,000 claiming non-winners of two. Blocked from the quarter pole to deep stretch, she was strong late. The one to beat next time, same level.
K P INDY
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Last race: Oct. 5, 2nd
Finish: 4th by 3 1/4
Beyer: 65
Speed-friendly race flow compromised this 2-year-old in maiden turf sprint. Steadied slightly along the rail on the turn and was one-paced late in a race dominated by front-runners. Sneaky good race.
ANDESH
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Oct. 5, 8th
Finish: 7th by 1
Beyer: 98
Older gelding making second start following layoff ran better than looked in Grade 2 turf mile. Blocked on the far turn and in heavy traffic in the lane, he finished willingly. Rounding into top form.
SUPER PATRIOT
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Last race: Oct. 5, 10th
Finish: 3rd by 3
Beyer: 89
Much improved since he was claimed three back, the late-running turf miler could have finished closer in a restricted stakes. Blocked from the five-sixteenths to the furlong pole, then produced a big kick. Remains sharp.
CLUB ASPEN
Trainer: Craig Lewis
Last race: Oct. 6, 4th
Finish: 6th by 7 3/4
Beyer: 60
Stretch-out 2-year-old never settled in turf route stakes. Unrelaxed, he pulled while surrounded and went evenly late. Upset potential if he returns to dirt sprint in Golden Stake Juvenile Stakes Nov. 1.