HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

SANTA ANITA

 

ABBEY CAT: Couldn’t quite find the running room she wanted in the stretch when off the board on 3/8. Deserves one more try.

ASTERI: Outran 18-1 odds for third, outlasting the favorite after battling for the lead in a race that set up for stalkers. Don’t overlook.

BASTIONE: Destined to be big odds every time, but ran well on Feb. 28 and then had a bad trip on Mar. 10. Possible upsetter at a price.

BLACK SEVENTEEN: Broke slowly from the rail and then rushed up on the inside to duel for the lead before settling for third as a result. Just needs a clean start, and getting off the rail wouldn’t hurt.

CELTIC SWORD: Broke slowly and was left with too much ground to make up from off the pace when fourth on 3/11. Can improve.

DAKOTA LASS: Got hooked in a three-way battle for the lead in her return from a six-month layoff and managed to outlast her early challengers in a race ruled by closers. Try again.

DR. SINATRA: Got cooked in a speed duel and finished only a nose out of second behind a perfect-trip winner. Finished 11 lengths clear of the fourth horse and 17 lengths ahead of his early speed challenger.

EASY MILLION: Was too close up to too fast of a pace at 1 1/8 miles on the grass on 3/10. Finished off the board but lost by only a length in a game effort.

MONTE BAJO: First starter ran into loads of trouble in difficult two-turn turf debut with a slow start and traffic trouble on the second turn. Look for quick improvement in second start.

OWEN ROE O’NEILL: Got hooked in a 2-length-gap speed duel and held on for third down the hill on 3/11. Owns dangerous speed.

ROMANESQUE: Lost ground four wide on the first turn in return from a four-month layoff. Should be ready next time and an outside to inside post move could help.

ROOSEVELT: Lost by only three lengths after racing three wide around both turns from off the pace. Fits well in a similar spot.

SLEWS THE BELIEVER: Got KO’d in a three-way speed duel. Still a threat to shake loose up front vs. maiden claimers.

BEST BET:  MILADY’S PRIDE: First starter slipped under the radar at 19-1 odds but then ran big for second despite rushing up toward the lead after a slow start. Won’t be a maiden for long.

LONGSHOT:  RED OPAL: Toss out the eighth-place finish on 3/7 when she got caught in traffic all through the stretch and couldn’t get through at 6-5 odds. Can make amends.

 

HAWTHORNE

EXPLOITED STORM: Raced near the inside while racing in the middle of the pack behind moderate fractions and then closed good ground for second; tab with $25k claimers.

GOLDEN PRUNE: Made a big move right after the quarter to take over the lead; set solid splits and then just missed by a nose, sharp now.

MEAN CHARLENE: Closed from 8^th to 3^rd most recently and then held on very well for third show spot at 21-1; like her chances with NW2L $10kc claimers.

MS WILLY NILLY: Raced in sixth early on in her career debut, made a quick move to get into third last out and held well for third behind the 1-2 favorite, stay close.

MUCKY MUCK: Battled on the lead right from start through moderate fractions put the other speed rival away but couldn’t hold off the 6-5 favorite and stayed on well for the place, tab.

BEST BET: TEN SHADES: Shipped in from the Fair Grounds last out and easily dispatched of NW3L $5k claimers after trailing the field early on taken to repeat with better.

LONGSHOT: TIBO: Closed well after racing near the back of the pack early on and then closed good ground in the lane to finish second at 18-1; tab with NW2L $5k claimers.