HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

TURF PARADISE

ARE YOU WORTH IT: Finished second behind blowout winner when claimed by Kruljac barn in latest; beaten odds-on favorite makes amends quickly.

BANISH THE BLUES: Took control of pace early and maintained edge throughout en route to half-length score most recently; right back.

COOLIDGE: Battled on hot pace and stayed on for second in typically game effort most recently; his turn for top prize next time.

FREE MILES: Raced close to pace, took over, and drew out to clear score off claim by trainer Gonzalez; sharp right now, she gets third straight win next time.

MR. MAYER: Chased pace and weakened to fourth behind blowout winner most recently, and is capable of better; McFarlane barn hits at roughly 20 percent.

MUSICAL TOPPER: Class drop did the trick for this new face in town when she showed speed en route to clear maiden score; California transplant takes another.

SPECIAL TRUCE: Has raced in fair order above claim price since taken by trainer Alvey three starts back, and figures effective on drop; barn has options now.

WHITE RINO: Brings high early speed and showcased sharp current form when third on class hike most recently; merits respect.

 

4STARSPECIAL: HOLY FASHION: Raced wide for third in stakes attempt when asked to tackle added one-mile distance most recently; experience now has her primed.

LONGSHOT: PANSY GARDEN: Fell a touch flat in latest but was attempting turf rebound in return to dirt; Cryptoclearance mare packs late punch at a price.

 

SANTA ANITA

BOUQUET EROSION: Broke poorly and lost all chance at the start in a race where the unchallenged front runners dominated. Can rebound.

CHATI VALLEY: Set a fast and pressured pace and held on for third in return from a brief layoff. Worth another try.

CONTRANDO: Well-bet first starter got claimed out of last-place debut effort where he broke slowly, rushed up, and tired badly as a result. Too early to give up on him.

DEPUTY DOC RENZI: Broke slowest from the rail and then rushed up to press a pace that totally caved in on 1/16. Can make amends for that off-the-board finish.

ELEGANZA: Set a pressured pace and held on for third in a race where two horses from the back of the pack finished one-two. Don’t overlook.

FAST AND FURIOUS: Ran mid-pack in a tough turf race in return from a six-moth layoff. Stick with him one more time.

HICKORY: Finished third in a good effort on grass, dueling for the lead and holding on for third despite being sent off at 36-1 odds. Worth another shot.

MAMBO TRAIN: Was the only pace horse still around at the end of his race on 1/14. Huge factor back vs. similar.

MARYFIELD: Ran a close fourth off of a 2 1/2-month layoff. Can win off the claim by Doug O’Neill.

NEW REGINA: Broke slowly but then came flying late for a close third in return from a six-month layoff. Prepped and ready now.

RED HAUTE: Outran 53-1 odds for second while nine lengths clear of the third horse on 1/16. Can graduate in second race off the layoff.

SACRED LIGHT: Had too much ground to make up from too far behind a moderate pace in difficult two-turn assignment in return from a five-month layoff. Try again.

SCADU: Broke slowest in an 11-horse field and then had a traffic-filled trip when off the board on 1/14. Just needs a clean trip to graduate.

SHELLY’S ROSARIO: Set a fast and pressured pace in a race that set up for the closers after the other front-runners tired badly. Could offer value off the claim by low-profile connections.

WIND WATER: Got KO’d in a suicidal speed duel in fractions of :20.3 and :42.1 which are unrealistic, even going downhill. Can rebound in first start off the claim.

 

4STARSPECIAL: TOMOCLEE: Got hooked in a four-length-gap duel for the lead with the odds-on favorite and held on for second. Stick with him.

LONGSHOT: RED TOP: Should be big odds in next after finishing eighth in a down the hill sprint, but lost by only 3 1/2 lengths despite a poor start and a rough inside trip. Don’t ignore.