HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

KEENELAND

DANCE MAN: Returned from April-layoff and ran lights out to battle on pace and land a head short when second; proven winner atones for favored loss in a hurry.

DRINKWITHTHEDEVIL: Broke well but was forced to take turn wide when burdened by outside post position 12 when a nice third in career debut; all set now.

EASTERN LILY: Tried to rally from wide spot turning for home, but could only manage an even-going sixth through the stretch; follow off claim by trainer Bernie Flint.

INDY FUN: Rated a touch off pace and rallied to win as favorite when dropped in class and stretched out in distance for second lifetime start; climbs class ladder.

KAFLEEN: Set the pace and settled for second best behind blowout winner in her latest; gets overdue tally in NW2L ranks.

KEVAZINGA: Rallied outside but was along too late for fourth in useful sprint debut; juvenile filly might enjoy more distance and/or turf.

PRIVATE HERB: Should improve upon sixth-place finish in his first start since last-December; initial experience with winners also proves a plus.

SHARK: Returned from lengthy layoff and went well to battle on pace and stay on for second; colt with brilliant pedigree appears likely allowance winner in near future.

SHIP’S CAPTAIN: Went well for third on turf to dirt switch for latest, and is likely to maintain sharp form at current class level.

 

4STARSPECIAL: GHOSTTRAPPER: Chased and never factored from wide spot when put to big class test in latest; quickly returns to sharp form either here or in West Virginia.

LONGSHOT: USEEWHATIMSAYING: Offered a mild middle move and settled for a fair seventh in clear "prep" debut for Pletcher/Bejarano ticket; daughter of A.P. Indy steps up.

 

 

SANTA ANITA

ARMANDO: Look for this cheapie at Los Al after he made several different moves after a slow start in Fpx loss. Toss out next try four days later.

BRITT’S JULES: Stumbled badly and couldn’t recover for anything better than fourth, beaten only a nose for third, on 9/24. Just needs a clean start.

CAT OF FIFTY SEVEN: Set too fast of a pace and managed to get beat by a perfect-trip closer at Fairplex. Try again at SA for Doug O’Neill.

COOL ALL OVER: Came from off the pace for second in career debut at Fairplex for Doug O’Neill. May not remain a maiden for long.

DARK REGENT: Got pushed out wide and bothered on the first turn en route to a third-place finish at Fairplex. Try again at SA for Mullins.

EL GATO FAMOSO: Got hooked and cooked in a speed duel at Fairplex. Still a threat to shake loose vs. maiden claimers.

KIMMY POTTER: Earned an impressive stakes win back at Fairplex despite a z-pattern race where she showed good early interest, got shuffled back in traffic, and then came again. Must not overlook.

LIVER: Outran 40-1 odds for fourth, just missing third in a race where he got squeezed back at the start and then had traffic in the stretch. Don’t ignore.

MANHATTAN EXPRESS: Had a terrible trip in last Fairplex defeat when shuffled back early and then blocked in the stretch. Just needs clean sailing to rebound.

PRECISE ALLOY: Got KO’d in a six-length-gap speed duel when third at Fairplex. Can make amends at SA.

PURPLE ROYALE: Closed well while wide all the way in runner-up finish behind the runaway odds-on winning favorite at Fairplex. Finished four lengths clear of the next horse.

RAYON: Was blocked in traffic when settling for third at Fairplex on 9/24. Can turn things around off the claim by McFarlane.

SNEAKY ANNIE: Showed good speed but needed a race in first start off a nine-month layoff. Should improve in second off the layoff.

STRENGTH: Finished third after a nightmare trip at the Fair when blocked repeatedly. Can regroup for low-profile connections.

WARREN’S QUEEN: Lost ground three-wide on the turn but still was in the race until into the stretch when equipment problems cost her any chance. Take one more shot.

 

4STARSPECIAL: HEIRLOOM ROSE: Broke slowly from the rail, rushed up, and had nothing left in the stretch as a result. Should improve off the claim by Mullins.

LONGSHOT: DIAMOND MINER: Finished seventh after getting hooked in a four-length-gap speed duel in a race where the front-runners all faded after a :44.3 seven-furlong pace. Worth another try vs. maiden claimers.