HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

OAKLAWN

AMIDST STORM: Has yet to recapture better form since return from break, but can do so at a square ticket in near future; wet track and/or spot near pace could help.

CASTLES IN THE SKY: Went in fair fashion for fourth in latest, but lacked punch he needed in first start since last-October; headed in the right direction now.

DIMPLE PINCH: Returned running from lengthy break with impressive victory on Jan. 28; daughter of Smoke Glacken primed for major winter season.

GOUGE: Took appropriate class drop to MCL ranks for latest, and responded with improved third-place effort with blinkers added; next time for victory.

HIGHLANDER’S ONE: Didn’t offer all that much in latest when seventh, but was making just second lifetime start and returning from break; thinking more distance.

JAZZY OKIE: Raced in rear early in hot sprint when coming off a break in latest, yet managed to show late interest for fifth; primed for breakout effort.

MEEITHER: Rated in hand early, moved to lead, and drew clear for nice score over 10 opponents in winning debut to build upon; obvious statebred to watch.

NEGOTIATION: Raced a basically close third throughout his latest, his first start since last-November, and can build upon the effort; a must in gimmicks.

PHONE JOAN: Didn’t get on track early when cut back in distance for latest over wet track, but showed some late interest for fifth; capable of more with better set-up.

WINNING SEASON: Returned from brief freshening with strong second-place finish on losing end of stretch duel; gets back in win column for Lukas barn before long.

 

4STARSPECIAL: RANDOM GOLD: Battled on the pace and held second while no match for clear winner in 11-horse group most recently; strong overall credentials.

LONGSHOT: PRETTY GOOD GUY: Showed early speed from wide post before fading in large field most recently; first try since last-November proves useful.

 

BAY MEADOWS-GOLDEN GATE

BLACK HORSE MONEY: Was stepped up the ladder and moved to turf off a pair of wins at $8k and $10k, but couldn’t handle the hike to $25k and surface change and finished fifth. Dangerous if spotted where he belongs.

BUBBLE BEE: Toss debut over a sloppy track. Came back to place second in career start number two after chasing a quick pace while breaking from the one-hole; looking good.

CLASSICALLY LIT: Four-year-old daughter of Lite the Fuse set ridiculous fractions of :21 2/5 and :43 4/5 and increased her advantage to the wire to score by 6 ½ lengths. Very scary; Jeff Bonde calls the shots.

DROWN THE SORROWS: Clearly needed one off the July layoff, coming home a well-beaten fifth. Can only go up from here.

FAST FELINE: In too deep at $25k after breaking his maiden for $8k. Sharp trainer in Art Sherman add to his appeal.

KAISER ROAD: Ran a good third off the layoff, then bounced as the chalk when sixth most recently. Willing to give another shot if the price is right.

MIDWESTERNER: Pulled off the upset at 13-1 in his unveiling with a sharp wire-to-wire victory in 1:09. Handles allowance foes.

MISS BORDEAUX: Showed good early speed from the 11-hole and stayed on for second after leading in the stretch. Won’t be a maiden for long.

NO NIGHT (GB): Showing no signs of slowing down at age 10. Recent fourth at 18-1 was good enough to score versus similar next out.

OUR TORI: Brought a two-race winning streak to the table from August, but ran out of gas in the stretch and finished sixth. Expect a better effort next time.

WASSERMAN: Keeps turning in respectable efforts without getting his picture taken. Fifth-place Jan. 29 is better than it appears on paper.

 

4STARSPECIAL: VICTORINA: Unbeaten filly from the same connections as Lost in the Fog. Crushed an allowance field after ducking in sharply at the start last October and has been firing bullets for her return. A future stakes winner for team Gilchrist.

LONGSHOT: WOODLANDS RULER: Was a bit disappointed with this Southern Californian shipper’s race last time, but we know he’s capable of better. Dismal sixth at 19-1 ensures a big price for next time.