HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

PHILADELPHIA

BEST PUNCH: Dueled for the lead and finished off the board in fourth, but was not embarrassed. Longshot chance in next.

BUSTERSATTORNEY: Just missed despite breaking poorly at 7-1 odds. Worth another try.

ED’S EMPIRE: Got KO’d in a speed duel in :22.4 in a two-turn route. May be an overlay based on that fifth-place finish.

FOR FUN: Was unlucky to lose after running well despite a terrible start and a tough trip in the stretch. Better luck next time off the claim.

GOLDEN OAK: Was making a good move from off the pace until he clipped heels turning for home. Settled for third, but can do better with a clean trip.

NUIT DE CHANCE: Didn’t break sharply and then rushed up toward the pace behind a wire-to-wire runaway winner who had gotten out to an uncontested lead. Still a threat to graduate.

SO LONG JOHNY: Showed good speed but got hooked in a duel and couldn’t shake loose. Still held on for third, narrowly behind the odds-on favorite.

STACY’S FAVORITE: Finished third but just missed, and might have won if not for briefly steadying and losing momentum on the turn in a short turf sprint. Give her another shot.

TELEPHONE BOOK: Was not aggressively handled in no-show effort behind a loose wire-to-wire winning 3-2 favorite. Can improve at overlay odds when they mean business.

 

4STARSPECIAL: FORLI’S LIMIT: Broke poorly and then rushed up to set the pace. Held on for second despite appearing to lose all chance at the start, and can make amends back vs. maidens.

LONGSHOT: HE’S IMPRESSIVE: Toss out the last-place finish when she broke very poorly, six lengths behind in a seven-horse field, and then rushed up toward the pace and tired as a result. Can turn it around immediately with a better start.

 

 

DEL MAR

C. C.’S DEELITE: Flipped and fell in the paddock and then had a troubled trip from off the pace last time out in a short sprint. Deserves another look.

FAIL ME NOT: Could not gain from off of a slow pace in return from a 3 1/2-month layoff. Too early to give up on him.

FIGHTING CITY HALL: Much better than recent seventh-place finish indicates. Live off the claim by Spawr as a likely overlay.

FREEDOM EVENT: Broke poorly and then lost ground four wide into the first turn. Can graduate with a better start and a better trip.

GALLOPING ANGEL: Lost her momentum in traffic and could only get up for third in what was still a good effort in return from a six-month layoff. Can win second off layoff.

HOT OFF THE BENCH: Showed good speed and outran 20-1 odds for third despite dueling for the lead. Can win off the claim by Ellis.

KENTUCKY SOUVENIR: Got KO’d in a four-length-gap speed duel in :21.2. Still a threat to shake loose back at same level.

MIDNIGHT LUTE: Started last in a 12-horse field and still finished second on return from a year layoff. Likely to get over the hump in next.

PARINAZ: Rallied too late for fourth in short sprint career debut, but her future is likely in longer races. Stick with her.

QUINTARA: Couldn’t survive a three-length-gap speed duel in :21.4 and :45.2 in a two-turn race, but did do a good job to hold on for third. Don’t give up hope.

RECORD: Settled for third as the favorite after spotting the field a few lengths with a bad start and then running into traffic trouble in the stretch on 7/27. Try again.

THE MISSILE GAME: Veered out sharply at the start and then rushed up into a six-length-gap speed duel and still held on for third. Can win for new barn off the claim.

WE ALL LOVE ALEYNA: Was rank early and steadied in traffic late when sixth in recent stakes try. Worth another shot.

WEE JINKY: Was interfered with after moving up into second in deep stretch. Can rebound with a clean trip.

WIND WATER: Toss out last-place finish when he stumbled to his nose at the start and then rushed up toward the pace before tiring as a result. Better luck next time.

 

4STARSPECIAL: MIRACLE MAKER: Totally toss out the seventh-place finish as the favorite when he couldn’t be properly handled after his saddle slipped. Can make amends vs. similar.

LONGSHOT: POINCIANA: Hesitated at the start and then tried to rally behind a slow pace. Still managed to outrun 14-1 odds for fourth and should improve a lot in second race back from the 10-month layoff.