Wed, 05/31/2023 - 10:15

Brad Free's Santa Anita horses to watch from May 26-29, 2023

SMART MO
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: May 26, 3rd
Finish: 1st by head
Beyer: 94
A first-timer at a mile on dirt, 3-year-old colt scored the upset in a promising debut. Forwardly placed three wide, hooked the favorite at quarter pole, and won photo. Son of Mo Town is a good one.

Thu, 05/25/2023 - 20:50

Saturday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Mirabella should get more aggressive ride

By David Aragona

Belmont | Race 5 | Post Time 3:03 p.m. (ET)

TimeformUS PPs are now available on DRF.com. Go to PPs

Utilization Rate (#6) will probably go favored again based purely on connections, even though her form doesn’t give her much of an advantage over this field. She was an extremely short price as part of an entry last time against what appeared to be a weaker maiden field than this one. Yet she was unable to hold on that day, and she’s going to be a short price again with Irad Ortiz Jr. getting back aboard.

Thu, 05/25/2023 - 14:25

Weekend GamePlan: Picks for Soaring Softly, Daytona, Lady Slipper

By Marcus Hersh

Barbara D. Livingston

American Apple has caught a paceless field in the Soaring Softly and should either be on the lead or just off the pace.

There’s likely to be saltier stakes action on Monday than Saturday this Memorial Day weekend. The Saturday stakes are few and far between, the fields entered in them light. How light? We’ve got to head to Shakopee, Minnesota, to find a play.

Soaring Softly

Wed, 05/24/2023 - 16:23

Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Starship Laoban capable of better on turf

By David Aragona

Belmont | Race 8 | Post Time 4:40 p.m. (ET)

TimeformUS PPs are now available on DRF.com. Go to PPs

Wed, 05/24/2023 - 13:29

Breakout Beyers: Program Trading finishes fast; can handle tougher

By Marcus Hersh

Mistical Curlin won by 19 lengths and earned a 106 Beyer, but the racetrack may have been a factor.

Each week in this space, the top Beyer performances by maiden winners will be featured and analyzed. Click here for a complete archive.

Program Trading

Tue, 05/23/2023 - 11:41

Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of May 22, 2023

By Brad Free

CRAZY HOT
Trainer: Jeff Bonde
Last race: May 20, 3rd
Finish: 1st by 10 3/4
Beyer: 72
Juvenile filly worked well into her debut, got bet, and romped as the favorite. Second early, zoomed to lead on turn, crushed. Goes next in stakes race, open company or California-bred.