HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

GOLDEN GATE

BOCCE GIRL: Two better than they look efforts at 26-1 and 32-1 since returning from a freshening. Not impossible if kept at the current offering.

CONTINENTAL CREAM: Keeps running her race—on the board in five straight—but doesn’t always have the respect of the betting public. Tab off second-place finish at 18-1.

FAN ME: Last three over the synthetic haven’t been pretty, but think a return to grass may light a fire. Keep in mind his 57-1 maiden tally over the sod last August.

GOLDEN PURSUIT: Hastings shipper ran a good one off the November layoff, finishing a respectable fourth at 21-1. Eight-year-old fits well at $8K.

LEO THE CAT: Two straight third-place finishes and looks primed for a big one following the four-furlong bullet in :47. Long overdue.

MADAME MOON: Drew the rail, and really responded to the new tactics of going to the lead. Hung on to finish a close third after setting easy fractions; think they have this filly figured out now.

MORI MARIE: Began her career with a fourth-place at 55-1, but hasn’t been able to duplicate that effort since. Finally resurfaced after missing all of 2008. Be patient with this lightly raced mare, she may surprise you.

OLYMPIC TRIUMPH: Showed little in her first two, losing by a combined 35 lengths, but woke up in her third attempt, finishing a close third at 35-1. Toss in gimmicks at right price.

SOUND’O GLORY: Ran some decent races on grass, but took it to the next level in his synthetic debut, rallying from far back to complete the trifecta at 14-1. Don’t ignore.

TIMBER PRINCE: Outran his 23-1 odds in his debut, finishing a distant second behind an impressive first-out winner. Should move forward with that one under his belt.

4 STAR SPECIAL: MOVIE STAR R. N.: Jerry Hollendorfer has this five-year-old daughter of Theatrical (Ire) in top form. Two straight over the Tapeta, and handled a class rise in latest; make the play.
LONGSHOT: SHE’S SOME WAGON: Is capable of better against $5K claimers than she showed off the September layoff. Comes in under the radar for low-profile barn.

AQUEDUCT

CIELO SONG: Hard hitting six year old closed well to finish second to the runaway wire to wire winner and has some backclass to call on and must be respected with a similar group, tab.

DONNA’S SANDEE: Was up against it chasing a slow early pace but finished up well to just miss the place spot, needs a little more pace up front to get the job done.

DREAM PLAY: Was making her first start the middle of May last out, didn’t get off to the best of starts and then was bottled up thereafter en route to an even fourth place finish; improves off that effort.

KISS AND FLY: Three year old filly paid dividends in her first start off the claim by the Bruce Brown barn and  can be very tough when sprinting, stay close.

MASTEROFTHEHOUSE: Definitely fits with $16k maiden claimers and has put two solid efforts in a row despite having to race very wide; graduates with a slightly better trip.

NORTHERN BUSTER: Followed up a longshot win with a dead heat for third at 9-1 versus $7.5k claimers, was claimed from that effort and his tactical speed always makes him dangerous.

SIR SAPPHIRE: Chased the early pace right from the start last out, gained a short lead into the lane but tired to finish fifth at 17-1, a drop gets him there.

TEMORE: Ran well in spots in his career debut and finished an even fifth but less than two lengths off the place spot, follow for top barn in his second start.

THE VIN MAN: Took a drop into $10k claimers last out and closed strongly through the lane to score by a neck late, fits at this level and can repeat for shrewd barn.

BEST BET: L. C. BULGARI: Was outrun early on after breaking slowly, was forced to steady and then closed some ground late to finish fourth, improves second time out for the Levine barn.

LONGSHOT: MUCHO GUSTO: Stretched out in distance most recently, was in contention on the turn but didn’t have anything left for the drive, follow this one on the turnback when he should have more stretch punch.