HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

TURF PARADISE

ACE’S HIGH: Got off to rocky beginning leaving the starting gate in latest fourth-place finish; expect better next time.

CIEL AVENUE: Dueled on pace and faded to third when it counted as the beaten favorite in his latest start; another chance off claim by trainer Sowers.

DBL OTT: Gave chase and weakened in latest, but must be respected in similar sprints going forward when you consider his early speed; value.

FUZZYHEADEDLIZARD: Lags early but can rally when it counts; has shown subtle improvement of late and looms a dangerous fresh face for upset going forward.

JUSTAFIRECRACKER: Overcame poor break and wide spot to demolish maidens in local return; lightly raced 5YO with upside scores repeat.

LA CASA DEL TORO: Assumed early command and parlayed it into clear-cut maiden score; follow lightly raced 5YO gelding up the class ladder.

POWER STROKIN: Raced on pace but faded when asked to tackle the tough combination of added distance and a class rise most recently; next time.

SMOKE QUEST: Couldn’t make the pace in latest, and that clearly hurt his chances as he chased and faded as the failed favorite; another try on the fly.

TELL NO SECRETS: Bobbled at the start then raced wide in a more than acceptable fifth-place finish most recently; major player with lower-end claiming company.

 

4STARSPECIAL: REDS PAL: Made up plenty of ground outside to be along for a close third most recently; needs pace and racing luck to set up best chance for winning rally.

LONGSHOT: BLACKBIRD: Battled wide with pace before tiring to third in improved effort last time; sharp right now.

 

 

SANTA ANITA

BEAU’S APPEAL: Got hooked in a three-length-gap duel for the lead and held on well for fourth. Threat to shake loose vs. maiden claimers.

CATBLUBYU: Returned from a year and a half layoff and showed some ability at 60-1 behind a runaway wire-to-wire winner. Don’t ignore.

DEVIL’S BAY: Looked improved on 12/31 after taking most of the year off. Should be an allowance threat in second off the layoff.

DRASTIC TACTICS: Tried to come from too far back in a 5 1/2 furlong sprint in return from a four-month layoff. Prepped and ready.

EVRYBDYLUVSDAHEAT: Wasn’t embarrassed when beaten seven lengths in return from a year and a half layoff after setting a fast pace and outlasting his early challengers.

LATEST JOKE: Made up good ground for third in a race otherwise dominated by late runners. Don’t overlook.

PINDARIC: Showed good speed on a contested pace in a down-the-hill sprint, but needed a race off an eight-month layoff. Worth another shot.

POINT OF IMPACT: Well bet first starter rallied for third after a slow start at 5 1/2 furlongs. Just needs a better start or slightly more distance.

SILVER CUP: Moved up into contention prematurely and then finished off the board following traffic trouble out of the turn and in mid-stretch. Too early to give up.

SPEED ROUSER: Didn’t get a great start from post eight in a two-turn race and then got hung out four wide while rushing up for the lead. Can make amends for sixth-place finish.

TENDER STORM: Couldn’t stay with a runaway favorite on the lead en route to a solid third-place effort. Can beat maiden claimers in next.

TRISH’S DIAMOND: Got hooked in a 5-length-gap speed duel in :21 flat and would have held on to win at 6 furlongs. Too bad the race went 6 1/2F on 12/31.

WILDOUT: Broke eight lengths behind the rest of the field and lost all chance at the start. Improves with a clean break.

 

4STARSPECIAL: MASHIKO: Got caught in a speed duel in :21.1 and :44.1 fractions and held on well for third in a race that set up for closers. Try again in second off the layoff.

LONGSHOT: CHANEL ISLANDS: Set a fast and pressured pace in a race where every horse anywhere close to the lead tired badly. Finished sixth, but was only a neck out of third while beaten just 2 1/2 lengths for the whole enchilada and can win second off the layoff.