HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

OAK TREE AT SANTA ANITA

 

AMYBELLE: Raced in contention throughout but fell back after being interfered with in mid-stretch. Worth another try vs. maiden claimers.

BRO LO: Set a pressured pace and held on the best of all the front-runners in a seven-furlong race run in a fast time. Can rebound in next.

COMPANY SECRET: Still fits against non-winners of two claimers after setting a pressured pace in a race that set up for all claimers.

DIRECT CONNECT: Did a good job of closing in a down the hill sprint, and only missed second by a head and a nose thanks to traffic trouble in mid-stretch. Finished four lengths clear of the rest of the field.

EXCESSIVE B AND B: Got hooked in a blazing speed duel in :21.1 and :44.1 and still didn’t lose by much in fourth while four lengths clear of the rest of the field.

GETINTHEREONETIME: Rebounded from a big Fairplex loss to run much better on the lead on the SA Cushion Track. Ready to graduate.

HARLENE: Had a very rough trip when third again on 10/4. Still a threat to get over the hump here with a clean trip.

IN DADDY’S HONOR: Drew the rail and had to rush up into a speed duel and finished off the board again. Needs to get off the rail.

KAIANAGANDAIA: Stumbled badly and lost his best chance at the start. Just needs a clean start to turn things around vs. cheapies.

MEDJOOL: First starter outran 15-1 odds for third, just a length out of second behind a runaway odds-on winner. Likely to enjoy more distance.

QUEEN OF THE DERBY: Retained her good Fairplex form when third at SA despite dueling for the lead in :21.1 and :44.1 fractions. Looms a threat to shake loose.

SUTTER BUTTE: Gamely held on for a dead heat for second after finishing with a pair of closers while far ahead of the other speed horses.

SWEET DEE’S: Set a pressured pace and held on for third in a race dominated by the two deepest closers in the race. Don’t overlook based on that effort.

UNBRIDLED PENNY: Dueled for the lead in a route and could not hold off a live closer and the perfect-trip favorite. Too early to lose hope.

WELL ARMED: Broke poorly in return from a six-month layoff. Prepped and ready for next time.

BEST BET: JET PROPELLED: Started slow but finished fast in sprint prep return race following a year layoff. Ready to roll next time out.

LONGSHOT: BLACK ASTOR: Got involved in an early pace that totally collapsed in his return from nearly a year layoff in a difficult 1 1/8-mile assignment. Too early to give up.

 

 

LAUREL PARK

 

CHANGEISGONNACOME: Chased inside and hit some traffic nearing the stretch before giving way to sixth in return from July-break; primed for Trombetta.

ELUSIVE KING: Made up plenty of ground with wide run in his latest to finish a close fourth; note, he was going to dirt off turf races and figures sharper moving forward.

GIMME THE GOLD: Chased wide and stayed willing to wire when third in useful debut; well-bred beginner is daughter of Touch Gold from Smart Strike mare.

GOOD TO BE TOUGH: Pressed the pace throughout on stretch out in distance most recently and faded to fourth through the lane; proves useful $15K-claim for trainer Linda Albert.

MIGHTY MECKE: Chased and weakened to fourth when back from freshening in his latest; proven winner with a touch of class only improves from here.

MOON JUMPER: Chased, bid outside, took over, and drew out to win her maiden with blinkers added as the public’s choice most recently; right back with winners.

ORDERED TO LISTEN: Circled and continued in fairly even fashion when third in his latest; gelding seems to be learning on the job type and can improve.

WARMFUZZYFEELIN: Chased the pace wide and willing and stayed on throughout to finish second in game bid; holds form.

YOUR BLUFFING: Have always loved this veteran with 16 wins in the bank; came up empty when third as the beaten favorite in his latest, but can fare better moving forward.

4*SPECIAL: RUN JICKSTER RUN: Returned from August-layoff and shook free early, dueled, and stayed on gamely to finish third in blanket finish most recently; all set for best now.

LONGSHOT: ACCESS LOVE: Shook free early and stayed on well in improved fourth-place finish when making his first turf start; looking for late-season maiden win.