HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

SUFFOLK DOWNS

BANDIT NAILHEAD: Hard hitting seven year old gelding raced to an even sixth last out over a sealed track; give him another shot right back over a fast surface.

C. B.’S TWISTER: Chased a sharp pace was racing down along the rail into the lane before tiring to finish fifth; tab with basement foes right back.

CLASSI VOGUE: Shipped in from Tampa Bay Downs for her last start, raced close-up through reasonable fractions but tired to finish fifth at 32-1; tab with a drop in class.

GROUNDSKEEPER: Showed good speed last out with $12.5k claimers, set a solid pace and was still there in deep stretch before checking in third.

SAGRES: Almost pulled off a huge upset last out against $5k maiden claimers when finishing second at 72-1 behind the odds-on favorite, price play next out with similar.

BEST BET: IT’S DOM’S TURN: Another Tama Bay Downs shipper, set the pace right from the start while being pressed every step and hung in gamely to finish second; next time.

LONGSHOT: EL ESCORIAL: Got away while racing in fifth behind a runaway frontrunner but did come with a three wide run into the lane to finish third at 51-1; don’t dismiss with $4k claimers.

 

BELMONT

BLUE HILL BAY: Made an easy lead last out over the turf, was challenged into the stretch but kicked away nicely as she came home in a solid time, she has some ability on the lawn and must be respected.

BORROWING BASE: Closed well in the lane to finish third at 26-1 as the longest shot in a six horse field over the turf last out, follow back with lesser on any surface.

CHRISTIE VILLAGE: Showed good speed in her career debut and lasted until the top of the stretch before tiring in the drive, should improve off that effort and must be followed right back on any surface.

CRAFTY C J: Broke well in his second career start, made the lead into the turn but tired to finish fifth with no visible excuse; hails from Levine barn and should be given another shot.

HOLY TROUBLE: Was in contention as they entered the stretch last out making a return off an October layoff but tired to finish sixth; tab right back for the Contessa barn.

JUDGE WILLIAM: Return to the dirt didn’t work out well for this three year old as he tired to finish sixth, follow with a return to the turf at a decent price.

LORD LOUIS: Hard hitting gelding raced near the back of the pack in his return from a December freshening and passed a few in the drive to finish sixth; was claimed by the Contessa barn out of that effort so stay close.

MEGADEED: Raced evenly throughout most recently when returning from a November layoff en route to a third place finish, may have needed that race and should be better next out.

WOOD WINNER: Closed well to finish second last out after dropping back a bit on the turn before coming on again; must respect with a similar group.

BEST BET: HOPPSEY: Didn’t get the best of trips last out when making his second career start as he was forced to alter course just when the running started; should be tough right back at a decent price.

LONGSHOT: ENDLESS CIRCLE: Raced evenly throughout when making a return from a September layoff checking in fourth behind the favorite in a solid statebred allowance race, tab.