HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

GOLDEN GATE

BLOSSOM ROCK: Eye-catching daughter of Roar of the Tiger continues to gear up for her debut for trainer Greg Gilchrist. OBSMAR two-year-old in training graduate is ready to rock.

DOWN BY THE LAKE: Was eased in an effort at Pln in early July, but looks like he’s on his way back for Jerry Hollendorfer. Took two straight over this course in January.

GREY ALYCATTA: Reported home fourth at 25-1 in his grass bow after racing in some traffic on the turn for home. Puts you in the black.

HIDDEN ROMANCE: Unraced Domestic Dispute juvenile has been working like a good thing. Fired a three-furlong bullet in :36.60 at Golden Gate Oct. 1.

HIGHLAND HOMBRE: Came back to life with a third-place finish at 24-1 following two horrific outings at the Fairs. Capable when right.

HURRICANE RETSINA: Owns some good early foot and hails from the barn of Jerry Hollendorfer. What more do you need?

NICKYPALMER: Began his career in California in 2006 before making stops in New Orleans and Kentucky last season. In steady training in the Golden State since July to make his seasonal bow.

NORTHWIND LUCK: Speedster was taken off his game after getting squeezed at the start, but still beat more than half of them home to finish fourth. Luck has nothing to do with it.

ROYAL HERALDRY: Southern California invader showed instant improvement in these parts, completing the trifecta at 12-1. Gets it done for Steve Sherman.

TRIPP TO GLORY: Three strong efforts over the Golden Gate Tapeta, including a third-place finish versus better last time. Reeled off two straight here prior to fifth-place finish over Bay Meadows Fair grass.

4 STAR SPECIAL: EMBRACE THE STORM: Earned his diploma at Sacramento following a lengthy layoff, and was very game in his first start versus winners after dueling through quick splits. Well-bred son of Storm Cat gets his picture taken.

LONGSHOT: KEEPIN IT DEEP: Ran better than expected in her unveiling, crossing the line an even fifth at odds of 61-1. Keep in mind versus $12K maiden claimers.

BELMONT

CHEROKEE MOONLIGHT: Didn’t lift a hoof last out in her second career start after finishing up well for fourth at Saratoga, maybe the sealed track was not to her liking so give her a shot on a dry surface.

FELINEFELON: Was not fast enough to make the lead last out, dropped back on the turn but was running again late to close the gap for the place spot, tab with a drop into claimers.

FLEET VALID: Is not quick enough to stay $60k claimers anymore and finished an even sixth, take on the drop down the claiming ladder as the connections look for a win.

PINK VIPER: Didn’t do much running last out when fourth in a field of five but may benefit from a drop into midlevel claimers, follow closely.

POSEY PARK: Has a nice little move in her when sprinting and her most recent close-up fourth may be pointing to a win next out, be there.

QUIET MOVER: Has run two very good races off the claim with a big maiden win and then a very good second last out, fits with allowance foes, be there.

RANGER JAMES: Was beaten a long way last out on the dirt in a race that was taken off the turf and it may add a bit to his price when back on his preferred surface, turf, tab.

ROGUE AGENT: Stalked the leader from second last out, took over into the lane and drew away for the easiest kind of win, backclassy sort can string a few together.

SAY TOBA SANDY: Was never that far back off moderate fractions, made a move at the top of the lane to get into second and was easily clear of the show horse, follow.

BEST BET: CHOCOLATE POP: Took a lot of early money for her debut and then drifted up to 8-1, ran well in spots en route to an even sixth, follow back on a dry surface for the hot Contessa barn.

LONGSHOT: THE VIN MAN: Was used very hard in a sharp pace last out but didn’t collapse as he held on well for fourth while the other pacesetter tired badly, tab with a better pace scenario.