HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

HOLLYWOOD

 

BOB BENOIT: Sent four wide into the first turf while losing ground too close to a fast pace that totally collapsed and still held on for third ahead of every other horse close to the pace. Ready to get his picture taken.

EXQUISITE BEAUTY: Didn’t miss by much after setting or pressing a pressured pace. Can win off the claim by Abrams.

FLOWER FUSION: Needed a race off a seven-month layoff but ran well in return and must be respected in second off the layoff.

HOLLADAY DIXIE: Battled for the lead with the odds-on favorite and still ran much the best of the early pace horses in a race dominated by closers. Worth a shot at a nice price.

HOPEHOPEHOPE: Needed a race off a nine-month layoff, but should be good enough to threaten back at similar class level.

J B WINE: Looked like a runner in unlucky loss in well bet career debut, and got claimed out of that first start by Hess. Likely to graduate, even with a class rise vs. special weights.

LORD IN COMMAND: Was so much the best vs. maidens, overcoming a slow start to win from the rail post in career debut. Likely repeat winner off the claim by Ward.

RESTLESS SOUL: Foreign invader far outran expectations, losing only to the favorite at 30-1 as the only horse in the race to make headway from off the pace. Can win second off the layoff.

SCARLETT’S PLACE: Could do no better than second after chasing a loose lone speed wire-to-wire winner.

SUIT YOURSELF: Toss out the last-place effort on 6/12 when he was blocked in traffic for much of the stretch run. Better than recent finishes indicate.

TWIX: Finished off the board after a rough trip as the favorite. Lost by three lengths while six lengths clear of the rest of the field and can’t be ignore in next.

UNUSUAL JANE: Just missed third in late running return from a year layoff. Prepped and ready next time.

BEST BET:  TIZ BALLADO: Rushed up into a battle for the lead from the rail and held on gamely for third at seven furlongs, beaten less than a length behind a pair of perfect-trip closing favorites. Tiz a good bet next time out.

LONGSHOT: BARBER: Had to overcome a z-pattern trip for third, showing interest both early and late after getting shuffled back on the turn while chasing a loose wire-to-wire winner. Don’t overlook.

 

ARLINGTON

 

CALLITMYWAY: Got hooked in a 2 ½-length-gap duel for the lead and finished off the board as a result. Looms a speed threat back vs. similar.

CAYENNE RED: Returned from an eight-month layoff with a good effort, coming again for third in a short turf sprint. Prepped and ready now.

COUNTRYCLUB CASUAL: Outran 57-1 odds for second after nearly catching up to a loose lone speed winner. Just needs an alert break to score.

EATHON SEA: Reared at the start and stumbled out of the gate, yet still outran 35-1 odds for second behind a runaway winning favorite. Threat with a good start vs. maiden claimers.

EXTRA CLASSY: Stumbled at the start when disappointing in return from a year+ layoff. Good to see she returned in an allowance spot, and deserves another shot next time given a better start for Todd Pletcher.

INDIAN BLOSSOM: First starter couldn’t overcome a bad start, but did rally late through traffic for fourth in a promising debut.

LUCKY APPROVAL: Came back from a five-month layoff ready to run, finishing second. Would have been closer if not for a clean trip and can’t be overlooked in next.

MOOR N MOUNTAIN: Checked repeatedly when trying to come from last in an 11-horse field behind a loose-on-the-lead wire-to-wire runaway winner. Third-place finish, just a head out of second, was much better than it looked.

PROPER CAUSEWAY: Got shuffled back at the start and had traffic in the stretch in return from a seven-month layoff. Can win second off the layoff.

SNAPPHOK: Finished fifth, but lost by only a length and did not enjoy a particularly good start or smooth trip. Don’t overlook.

TACTORO: Toss out the last-place finish after getting off to a disastrous start. Worth another shot.

BEST BET: MICHALSON: Showed good interest both early and late after steadying in traffic on the turn. Looks good in second race off the five-month layoff.

LONGSHOT: PUBLISH: Broke poorly in a 12-horse field and lost all chance at the start. Better luck next time.