Free's Santa Anita horses to watch for week of Dec. 29

MICKS MIRACLE
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Dec. 26, 4th
Finish: 1st by 5 1/4
Beyer: 88
Another debut winner sired by Wildcat Heir, this colt dusted a good field of 2-year-old maidens, winning in a fast time (1:15.01) with something left at the wire. Bred short, he could be a top 3-year-old sprinter in 2015.

CAFETIERE
Trainer: Kristin Mulhall
Last race: Dec. 27, 3rd
Finish: 4th by 7
Beyer: 60
A 2-year-old filly with fast works for her debut, she broke a half-step slow and got squeezed to last. She rushed to chase from third position and tried in the lane. With a clean break next out, the daughter of Elusive Quality could be tough to catch.

JOMELO
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Last race: Dec. 27, 4th
Finish: 6th by 1 3/4
Beyer: 81
This late runner was compromised by the slow pace while racing nine furlongs on turf. Far back, inched forward, finished well. The 8-for-37 pro was claimed by Hollendorfer from Phil D’Amato. In a similar turf route with legitimate pace, he might mow them down next time.

THREE HEARTS
Trainer: Neil Drysdale
Last race: Dec. 27, 8th
Finish: 3rd by neck
Beyer: 86
Severe traffic trouble in a Grade 3 turf route cost this filly her chance. Saved ground, blocked inside for much of the final quarter-mile, rallied inside, made the lead late, got collared. She might have won with clear sailing.

KOOL KAT
Trainer: Jim Cassidy
Last race: Dec. 28, 4th
Finish: 9th by 6 1/4
Beyer: 71
Favored in a N2X turf route, this filly did not have a fair shot. Carried four wide for the first turn while racing one mile, stayed wide, six wide into the lane, ran out of gas after losing so much ground. Call the whole thing inconclusive. She deserves another chance vs. similar.

NOWALKING
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Dec. 28, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 4 1/2
Beyer: 76
This older maiden was interfered with by a loose horse in the stretch or might have won. He steadied along the inside when the loose horse dropped in, lost momentum, and was unable to recover. Tough guy to trust with his closing style, but he had a legitimate alibi this time.