HORSES TO WATCH

SANTA ANITA SUBIC BAY Trainer: Jeff Mullins Last race: March 8, 8th Finish: 2nd by 3/4 Beyer: 65

Four-wide start to finish in turf mile, this N2L claiming mare ran super. She actually made the lead in the stretch, but ground loss was too much to overcome. Sharp effort. DOWNTOWNER Trainer: Bob Baffert Last race: March 9, 4th Finish: 2nd by 1 Beyer: 87

Off more than a year, this special-weight maiden raced four wide throughout dirt mile, finished well, and should be tough to beat in upcoming dirt route for older maidens. LINE DRIVE Trainer: Doug O’Neill Last race: March 9, 7th Finish: 3rd by 2 1/4 Beyer: 66 This starter-allowance filly was compromised by pace. Dueled through fast fractions, opened up, tired late. Good front-running effort by fast filly. X S GOLD Trainer: Jim Cassidy Last race: March 9, 8th Finish: 3rd by 1 1/4 Beyer: 78 Facing older for first time, this Cal-bred 3-year-old filly ran well in N1X turf mile. Set strong pace, led to deep stretch, collared by two closers. Stakes-placed filly is in top form. MESUT Trainer: Carla Gaines Last race: March 10, 3rd Finish: 2nd by 1/2 Beyer: 84 Older gelding ran winning race in initial route. Shuffled slightly, saved ground, finished fast (race won by pacesetter), galloped out big past wire. He is sitting on N1X win. KANTHAKA Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer Last race: March 10, 6th Finish: 3rd by 6 1/2 Beyer: 91 No match in highly rated San Felipe, this 3-year-old is probably best as a closing sprinter. Already a Grade 2 winner, sprint campaign likely in months ahead. Follow any one-turn race. GIANT EXPECTATIONS Trainer: Peter Eurton Last race: March 10, 10th Finish: 4th by 13 3/4 Beyer: 92 Expected to contest Big Cap pace but bobbled and away last. Rallied, challenged for lead far turn, flattened out. Excellent effort, he ranks among California handicap-division elite.

– Brad Free OAKLAWN LEINSTER Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas Last race: March 10, 7th Finish: 3rd by 2 1/2 Beyer: 68 Triple Crown nominee cut back to a sprint distance and put in a nice bid for third when facing a quality field in a maiden special weight. Down the line, he could be quite effective on grass as a half-brother to Stormy Liberal, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in November. SCHOENHARDT Trainer: Tom Van Berg Last race: March 10, 4th Finish: 4th by 6 1/2 Beyer: 67 He broke very leisurely in a $30,000 conditioned claimer at a mile – a race that ends at the sixteenth pole at Oaklawn – and put in a good bid for fourth. Schoenhardt galloped out nicely after the race, in which he faced older rivals. He is a 3-year-old son of Shackleford. SONNY SMACK Trainer: Don Von Hemel Last race: March 9, 6th Finish: 1st by 1 1/4 Beyer: 67 He made his debut at two turns and delivered, closing from next to last for a clear win over maiden special weights. The 3-year-old defeated older rivals and is bred to be a runner as a half-brother to Grade 3 winner and near millionaire Smack Smack.