HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

OAKLAWN

COUSIN SALLY: Chased the pace throughout her latest and stayed on in game fashion to finish third in crowded group; settles in locally and scores.

GOLDEN ICE: Cost $100K at auction in 2004 and has trained well locally of late; don’t miss the boat in son of Golden Missile’s debut run.

KINGSFIELD: Should improve upon third-place finish in LaD return from absence and is training in excellent fashion over this strip; all aboard.

LORD OF THE TRACK: Battled on pace from wide spot and weakened when he last raced in July 2005 at Lone Star; puts speed to excellent use here.

MAISE AND BLUE: Winner over this course packs late punch when in the mood and figures to offer some value on tote; rallies for score.

NOBLE NED: Seen putting in effective gate workouts in preparation for upcoming 3YO debut; follow.

ONE SLICK CHICK: Showed typical improvement in second lifetime start when forced to deal with traffic and rally for second; maiden win there for the taking.

PISTOL AVENUE: Hasn’t raced since last-June but should reap benefit of well-deserved break once back to races; spotted here in training hours, and he’s gone well over course.

RED QUEEN: Hasn’t raced since last-November, but shows excellent January workouts over this strip in anticipation of return; has winning knack.

VIRGINIA PLAIN: New face in town by way of Canada brings a touch of class and a finishing punch; daughter of Gulch needs pace and racing luck for best.

 

4STARSPECIAL: TEXAS BEST: Bears watching in return from June-layoff, particularly if January 9 bullet workout is any indication; plenty of early zip.

LONGSHOT: GENERAL ROCCO: Hasn’t raced since last-September, but seems to be moving forward in recent local workouts; can’t dismiss Asmussen-trained runner.

 

 

TURFWAY

BIG BLUE ADVENTURE: Was turning back in distance, moving up in class and making his first try over the Turfway Park surface he ran a good fourth after chasing the pace early on, follow at a price with NW2L claimers.

CHART: Extremely well bred five year old mare ran an even race when checking in fifth against $5k maiden claimers, slowly improving sort should be right there with a similar group.

ENHANCED EDITION: Never seems to get to the winners circle, (1 for 15 lifetime) but always puts in an honest effort and most recent second place finish was solid, should move through NW2L level next out.

GO FOR ALY: Was in over his head last out and was used up chasing the pace of a sharp rival and needs a drop back into NW3L claimers, tab.

GRACEFULNESS: Put in an improved effort when dropped back into a $7.5k maiden claimer and is ready to break her maiden at that level, stay close.

OF LEGAL AGE: Six year old mare obviously needed the drop in class most recently when finished a much improved third, has backclass to call on and should start moving back up the claiming ladder.

ROCKETS RED GLARE: Is in sharp form right now and finished a good second last out behind NW2L claimers and handles any and all distances.

RURD: Was outrun early on after turning back into a sprint race, swung wide into the lane and closed strongly to finish third at 15-1, should be a little sharper next out $5k claimers.

SWAGGERING: Well bred five year old chased the pacesetter from the far outside post but began to tire in the lane, look for a turnback in distance at a big price.

 

4STARSPECIAL: BRIDESMAN: Four year old has faced off against better in the past and the drop into restricted claimers has helped his cause, the bump up in class was no trouble as he closed well for a good second, has the backclass to call on so stay close.

LONGSHOT: MEDICINE EYES: Needed his first race off the layoff back in December at Hawthorne as evidenced by his good third after battling head to head for the lead, speedy sort takes them all the way next out.