HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

SANTA ANITA

 

ADD HEAT: Saddle slipped when off the board as the favorite in a turf distance race on 2/29. Can make amends.

C R CAPER: Got hooked in a four-way duel for the lead and outlasted the other speed horses for third, beaten less than a length. Ready to roll in his second off the layoff.

CHAMPS ELYSEES: The impulse is to bet him back only on grass after the loss in the Big Cap, but he’ll be a good bet next time on either surface after running a creditable third despite a poor start and a troubled trip.

I’M IN THE MOOD: Drew the rail and rushed up into a duel for the lead and held on the best of the speed horses when well-beaten in return from a 10-month layoff. Get in the mood in second off the layoff.

INDIAN WEAVER: Won at a nice price despite a nearly disastrous slow start from the rail. Very sharp right now and likely to repeat in next.

LUCKY MAMA: Broke slowly and lost all chance at the start on 3/2. Can make amends as an overlay with a clean start.

MAGIC MIKE: Rallied nicely from the back of the pack for second in return from a nine-month layoff. Prepped and ready to graduate.

OKIE DOKEY PETEY: Was the only pace horse still around at the finish in a race otherwise ruled by closers. Dangerous vs. maiden claimers.

RAINGEAR: Had a troubled trip from start to finish and never got to do his best running. Still a threat vs. maiden claimers with a clean trip.

REPETOIRE: Closed well in a turf marathon after losing ground three deep on both turns. Finished close at 20-1 and can do better from a better post.

SCOTT’S POPPY: Dueled for the lead and made another late move before tiring to fourth in return from a five-month layoff. Can win in second off the layoff.

SPANISH INFLUENCE: Dueled for the lead and held on for third at 13-1 in return from a five-month layoff. Good sign that he’ll be live in return from the sidelines.

TIZ A BLEND: Wanted to show speed, but got hung out wide from a far outside post chasing a loose wire-to-wire winner. Can rebound with a better draw.

YVETT’S PRIDE: Ran a good race from up close to the pace in a closer’s race in return from a 10-month layoff. Finally may graduate.

BEST BET: CULTURED: Closed best of all for third behind a snail’s pace, and did so despite some traffic on the turn and in the stretch. Definitely one to watch from off the pace.

LONGSHOT: VICTOR’S CRY: Actually went off as a the favorite in a big field in career debut, but never got into the race after breaking slow from the far outside and needing to rush up five wide into the turn. Toss early to give up on this live one.

 

FAIR GROUNDS

BROKEN MUSIC: Broke well from the rail last out, set a pressured pace into the lane before tiring a bit late, can be tough with a better pace scenario.

FAST FASHION: Battled head to head for the lead last out, put away that rival into the lane but couldn’t hold off the closers late tiring to finish third, solid.

FRESH SHEET: Put in a professional run last out to break her maiden by almost two lengths and is ready for winners next out, be there.

HAWSER: Broke from the far outside post position 12, raced near the back of the pack before closing well in mid track to finish a close-up fourth, a better post helps.

HONOR GUARD: Was well back early on in a field of seven, came with a wide run into far turn and then angled in through the lane to finish a closing third, will be tough with similar.

MY CHASED: Stalked the frontrunner through moderate fractions at 41-1 over the turf last out, took over from that rival but tired late to finish fifth, the price will be right.

BEST BET: MARION’S MAN: Was outrun early on through some swift fractions but could only manage an even fourth in a race where the top three went 1-2-3 around, tab.

LONGSHOT: UNJUST: Ran an even fifth last out when sprinting on the turf from a tough post and probably needed that race; his first since May, follow back at a nice mutuel.