HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

CHURCHILL DOWNS

 

 

BABES: Returned from brief break and set the pace en route to third-place finish in local return; like her early zip on the claiming scene.

BEST YEARS: Hasn’t moved forward since dominant maiden score five starts back, but we’ll stay with this gelding a touch longer; fast dirt track could be the ticket.

COUGAR CAT: Tried his speed in classy company and faded to fifth on Derby undercard most recently; gets back to winning ways in softer group.

FOR MICHAEL’S DAD: Rallied after rocky beginning to pick up second behind clear-cut winner in his career debut over muddy strip; son of Montbrook shows promise.

GOLD BRICK: Went in fairly even fashion when third as the beaten favorite in his latest, but brings a touch of back class; proves useful $10K-claim for trainer Moquett.

KILN CREEK: Broke awkwardly, had some trouble, and rallied for third in nice effort when making first start off two-month break; all set for top prize now.

LILLY CARSON: Didn’t have best chance from wide post over sloppy track in hot dash most recently; love her in a spot where she can show the way early.

PRAIA DA PIPA: Set pace and stayed on in game fashion when third in her first start back from February-layoff; moves forward in a hurry for outstanding Mott barn.

THUNDER MISSION: Raced wide and came up empty in the lane when it counted in latest fifth-place finish over sloppy ground; another chance for beaten favorite.

4PSPECIAL:  L’AZIZA: Has had a nice start to his career with a second-place finish and a more recent win; juvenile filly with upside for trainer Biancone.

LONGSHOT: SAALB: Shot clear on pace and weakened in the lane when trying to stretch his speed one mile in latest return from brief break; benefits from conditioning gained.

 

 

GOLDEN GATE

 

CAPRICIOUS ONE: In good form despite a poor career record. Fired a three-furlong bullet in :35.60 at Golden Gate May 7; head to the windows.

DANCING GUARANI: It may not look like it at first glance, but she is showing improvement with each career start. Slow start in recent fifth-place finish couldn’t have helped the cause; bombs away.

EIGHT TEAM: Southern Californian invader didn’t show much in her Golden Gate grass debut, but can factor into the mix versus cheaper on the dirt. Should be a good price.

FALLING FREE: Normally fairly consistent, so feel free to toss his well-beaten sixth-place finish on the grass last time. A play on turf or dirt.

GLOBAL TREATY: Filly owns some smart early speed, but needs to be left alone early to be effective. Trainer Steve Specht calls the shots.

GLORY BY CHOICE: Owns solid early speed and is in good hands with conditioner William Morey. Outran her 18-1 odds last time versus starter allowance foes; looking good.

OLYMPIAN MEDAL: Finished 11th, beaten 18 lengths when returning from a layoff Apr. 28, but bounced back with a better effort the following week, placing fourth at 24-1. Headed in the right direction.

RAE’S TOTTS: Rounding into form nicely since the layoff. Consecutive third-place finishes Apr. 14 and May 6 are a sign of good things to come.

SHE’S BAQ: Has outrun her odds in her last two starts, finishing third at 12-1 Apr. 15 and fourth at 20-1 May 5. A maiden win is well within her reach.

TRUCKIN JONESEE: Starting to figure it out since dropping to $8K maiden claimers. Fifth-place finish at 19-1 and fourth-place finish at 67-1 are worth taking another look at.

WIZARD OF DORMELLO: Didn’t like the stretch out in distance to one mile in his latest. Has a couple of decent efforts going short hidden in his pp’s--third at 101-1 Mar. 17 and sixth at 9-1 Apr. 18; take a second look.

 

4PSPECIAL: DIRECT EXPOSURE: Broke his maiden like a good thing last July, but was brought back from the shelf in a very tough spot in the Golden Bear S. Speed burner takes a first-level allowance next time.

LONGSHOT: WHAT ABOUT ADAM: Has prepped with two turf outings since returning from a lengthy layoff. Wakes up with a return to dirt at a substantial price.