HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

DEL MAR

 

A TOAST TO TANNER: Missed the break and broke poorly and lost his best chance at the start. Can rebound with a clean start.

ABBEY CAT: Got a late start on her come from behind rally after getting caught in traffic off heels on the turn. Deserves another look.

ALFRED KENT: Pressed and set a fast and contentious pace and held on the best of the front-runners. Finished a distant fourth, but was far clear of the other speed horses and still could loom a surprise speed threat vs. cal-bred maidens.

CARLY EFFECT: Had a poor start and a rough trip and was left with too much ground to make up from behind. One more chance on either turf or main track.

CAUSE TO BELIEVE: Returned from a seven-month layoff in a difficult spot and needed the race. Too early to give up on him.

CORKONIAN: Completely toss out the fifth-place finish when impeded and taken up sharply to avoid a break down. Can make amends.

COUSINS LEW: Got hooked in a four-length-gap speed duel from the rail. Finished off the board, but lost by only two lengths while easily ahead of his early challenger.

EL VAGO: Missed the break and had no chance thereafter in a short sprint on 7/11. Live overlay vs. maiden claimers with a clean start.

EVER SO NICE: Was well bet, but needed a race in return from a four-month layoff. Should benefit from the outing and threaten cheap claimers at Del Mar.

GEM PALACE: Returned from nearly a seven-month layoff and got caught behind a moderate pace when rallying for third in spite of the layoff and slow fractions. Prepped and ready to win next time.

GEORGIE BOY: Was unlucky to lose when finishing second after getting caught in a four-length-gap duel for the lead. Set to graduate.

JOHNNY EVES: Worked his way into contention and still had some run left in him when squeezed back inside on the turn. Can improve with a clean trip.

MAGNIFICENT VALOR: Trailed behind a slow pace in career debut in a race won off by the odds-on favorite. Finished less than a length out of second and should improve quickly at distances longer than 5 1/2F.

YIELDTOTHEQUEEN: Broke slowly and then rushed up to duel for the lead and lost all chance due to those early efforts. Can improve with a clean start for Mullins.

 

BEST BET: GEORGIE BOY: Was unlucky to lose when finishing second after getting caught in a four-length-gap duel for the lead. Set to graduate.

LONGSHOT: CARLY EFFECT: Had a poor start and a rough trip and was left with too much ground to make up from behind. One more chance on either turf or main track.

 

 

 

 

ARLINGTON

 

ALL THE FACTS: began too far back to threaten, but didn’t run badly for third in return from a three-month break, and should be tougher next time.

CONNER’S BRITTANY: Outran 15-1 odds for a close third, just a nose out of second despite trouble in the stretch in return from a seven-month layoff. Should win second off the layoff.

GITA: Pressed a contentious pace and held on best for fourth, beaten only a length while just a nose and a head out of second. Worth another try.

HE’S A RIOT: Hustled up to the lead from the tough rail post going a mile, and still outlasted the other speed horses for third. Can win off the claim by Brueggemann.

LITTLE CART: Bobbled out of the gate and got off to a bad start when off the board last time out. Too early to give up.

RAMBLING CLOUD: Hopped at the start and then raced four wide in five furlong career debut. Finished third, and quick improvement is possible in next with a clean start.

SEA GAZE: Was too far back behind a slow pace when settling for third after being interfered with in the stretch on 7/5. Coming off a couple excuses, and deserves another shot.

SULTRY VENTURE: Got on track too late in return from an eight-month layoff. Prepped and ready to roll in second off the layoff.

THOUSANDKISSESDEEP: Bobbled at the start and then rushed up toward the lead and tired to last place as a result. Better luck next time.

WINKEY’S IMAGE: Broke awkwardly and then rushed up to the lead while four wide on the first turn. Better than that far-back effort indicates.

BEST BET: YOU DANCING DEVIL: Disappointed as the favorite when interfered with while trying to rally in the stretch on Illinois-Bred Day. Finished sixth, but was beaten only 1 1/2 lengths and just needs clear sailing to make amends.

LONGSHOT: PRIVATE OPENING: Broke poorly but still managed to outrun 25-1 odds for fourth, just a nose and a neck out of second behind a runaway winning even-money favorite. Don’t ignore.