HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

HOLLYWOOD PARK

 

BAD BOY: Closed willingly for third, but lost the race by only a pair of heads in a good effort. Ready to win right away off the Mitchell claim.

BRILLIANT RESPONSE: Showed speed but didn’t get the lead and faded off the board late when needing a race off a nine-month layoff. Worth another try.

CARMAN: Prepped in a six furlong turf sprint and ran well late in return from a nine-month layoff. Needed the race, beware next time.

JOINT AGREEMENT: Drew the rail and broke slowly in return from a brief freshening on Memorial Day, but still ran a nice race for second. Just needs to get off the rail.

PRACTICAL MAGIC: Got caught in a speed duel from the rail post going 7F and held on gamely for second, beaten only a neck and a nose by two perfect-set-up closers.

RISING HONOUR: Needed a race off a nine-month layoff. Should be ready to roll next time.

SOUTH OF FRANCE: Broke poorly and lost her best chance at the start of a 5 1/2 furlong sprint where the speed horses never came back to the pack after moderate fractions.

STEAM IRON: Finished second in a four-horse field, but that’s saying a lot due to a terrible start that left her four lengths behind the rest of the field and 10 lengths behind the loose-on-the-lead lone speed wire-to-wire winning favorite. Don’t ignore off the Gary Stute claim.

TOPPER SHOPPER: Got hooked in a four-length-gap speed duel and held on for second in a fast turf sprint. Can’t be ignored.

VOODOO’S VISION: Dueled for the lead early and still gamely battled late, losing by just a head while clear of the rest of the field and far, far clear of her early challengers.

WINE ON THE PORCH: Got caught in a four-length-gap speed duel in first race back from a 4 1/2-month layoff. Don’t overlook in second off the layoff.

BEST BET:  BULLYA: Got caught in an early speed duel before getting clear on unrealistic :22.4 and :45.4 two-turn fractions. Held on for fourth in a race otherwise ruled by closers.

LONGSHOT:  SKY CAPE: Reared at the start and lost all chance at the break when beginning five lengths behind the rest of the field. Lost the race by only four lengths and just needs a clean start.

 

 

ARLINGTON

 

A.J.’S LOVE: Outran 18-1 odds for third despite getting shut off in traffic between horses. Finished well and can’t be ignored vs. maidens.

BAR BABE: Drew the rail at 7F and stumbled out of the gate to begin last in the seven-horse field. Ran a solid race thereafter and can make amends if able to get off the rail.

CHURUBUSCO: Stumbled badly at the start yet managed to recover and still won going away. Likely repeater.

CLASSIC CHANT: Speedy well bet first starter got caught in a speed duel and had to settle for third. Not likely to be a maiden for long.

COUNTRYCLUB CASUAL: Got caught in a five-length-gap duel for the lead. Finished fourth but was beaten less than two lengths.

HOPE FOR US ALL: Broke poorly from the tough rail at a mile and never fully recovered. Fair Grounds invader just needs to get off the rail to graduate.

KID GUSTO: Got loose in the paddock and then got hooked in a four-length-gap speed duel in hard-luck off-the-board finish as favorite. Can rebound.

LOGAN’SSHOREBREEZE: Battled for the lead all the way after a four-length-gap speed duel. Finished fifth, but lost by less than a length.

MOREREADYTHANEVER: Emerged best from a three-way speed duel, finishing second while far ahead of the early challengers.

MYTAK: Broke poorly and lost her best chance at the start. Can turn things around with a clean start.

STARS OF THE SEA: Got hooked in a five-length-gap speed duel and could do no better than third as a result. Looks good in next.

STEP OUT SMARTLY: Turfway invader hesitated at the break and appeared to lose all chance at the start but then rallied and won with ease. Too sharp now.

SUPER INDEED: Got hooked and cooked in a three-length-gap speed duel. Still a threat to shake loose in spite of that fifth-place finish.

BEST BET:  SILENT MONEY: Well-bet first starter got off to a rough start and still ran well enough for a clear second, just a neck behind the 7-5 winner. Won’t be a maiden for long.

LONGSHOT:  MARQUEE EVENT: Rallied until snatching up in traffic in the stretch, and then came again too late. Finished fourth, but was only two necks out of second despite the trouble behind a runaway winning even-money favorite.