Tue, 06/04/2024 - 09:05

Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for week of June 7, 2024

Coady Media
Midwest shipper Faith Understood had a brutal trip in her first start at Santa Anita in the Grade 3 Honeymoon.

LEE’S BABY GIRL
Trainer
: Doug O’Neill
Last race: May 31, 1st
Finish: 2nd by 2 1/4
Beyer: NA
Even-money in maiden turf sprint, chased from second, hard-ridden, ran like needed a start. O’Neill has four seconds, two thirds from nine juvenile firsters this year. ’Girl can improve.

WINDRIBBON
Trainer: Isidro Tamayo
Last race: May 31, 2nd
Finish: 3rd by 1 3/4
Beyer: 75
Eight-win veteran popped gate in $32k claiming sprint, set pace from rail, overhauled late. Eligible to Cal-bred entry-level allowance, has run well at Del Mar, prefers an outside draw.

GRANADA FLAVOR
Trainer: Steve Knapp
Last race: June 1, 1st
Finish: 3rd by 5
Beyer: 67
Veteran lagged in dirt mile, middle move from last to second, flattened out, pacesetter won race. ’Flavor $10k re-claim by Knapp, runs well at Del Mar, follow in low claiming route.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

JOYRIDER
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Last race: June 1, 5th
Finish: 5th by 5 1/4
Beyer: 63
Debut 3-year-old off slowly in maiden turf mile, raced at rear, angled out, finished well, ran faster each successive quarter-mile, galloped out super. Excellent debut by Kitten’s Joy colt.

FAITH UNDERSTOOD
Trainer: Jonathan Thomas
Last race: June 1, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 3
Beyer: 78
Brutal trip by lightly raced favorite in filly turf route stakes. Not asked, rail trip rear, blocked five-sixteenths to deep stretch, never had a chance. Midwest-based filly should be followed.

SIXTEEN ARCHES
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: June 1, 9th
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/4
Beyer: 80
First start in a year and a half, veteran mare ran like she needed a prep. Rail in fifth, waited, found a seam, no real kick. This was a useful prep for entry-level turf allowance at Del Mar.

JUST NAILS
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Last race: June 2, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 2
Beyer: 78
Allowance turf mare tucked inside just off pace, intimidated in traffic at quarter pole, switched outside, pacesetter was gone. ’Nails has won on Del Mar turf, may benefit by aggressive ride.

RICHI
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last race: June 2, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 89
Group 1 winner in Chile dueled through fast fractions in filly-mare sprint stakes, put away pace rivals, collared by late-running winner. Promising U.S. debut by Richi, wants longer.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.