Santa Anita horses to watch: Week of March 1

A P PEPPER
Trainer: Craig Lewis
Last race: Feb. 20, 6th
Finish: 4th by 2 1/2
Beyer: 70
A turf route against older was not the ideal surface/distance for this claiming filly, but she actually closed ground and made it respectable. Look for a drop to face 3-year-olds.

EXPLAIN
Trainer: John Sadler
Last race: Feb. 20, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 94
This older gelding returned to form with a good runner-up try behind an odds-on winner. Claimed by Sadler from Ted H. West, he can win a similar second-level optional $62,500 claimer.

KYRIAKI
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Last race: Feb. 22, 6th
Finish: 3rd by 2
Beyer: 78
This comebacking filly showed good late run in a slowly run turf sprint despite early trouble. She finished with run and can improve next out in a turf route for first-level allowance fillies and mares.

GOLDEN ITIZ
Trainer: Peter Miller
Last race: Feb. 22, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 3 1/4
Beyer: 87
A speed-favoring track profile compromised this come-from-behind veteran. Claimed for $40,000 by Miller from John Sadler, he is a threat over a fair surface with pace to set up his closing kick.