HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

CALDER

ALKAZABITO: Rallied from last of 10 after hitting the gate at the start to cross the line a well-beaten fourth in his unveiling at odds of 15-1. Encouraging debut.

RECKLESS BABY: Finished a well-beaten second-best in her bow behind a wire-to-wire winner who was allowed easy fractions. Trainer Larry Bates has something to work with.

SHORTY PUFFS: Has always run well at Calder, and has returned to Miami off a layoff with a double-digit length win and a second-place finish behind a red-hot mare. Rock solid.

SINGING ROCK: Winless for a while, but like that he still showed his closing kick in a recent off-the-turfer. Think he’s ready to pop.

THREE HAIL MARYS: Rallied to a good third-place finish at 16-1, but failed to build off that effort when kept too close to the pace in her latest. Bounces back at a price.

VALOROUS: The word was out on this daughter of Value Plus in her debut, but she could do no better than fourth as the 4-5 favorite after bumping at the start. Made a bid for the lead in the stretch, before tiring; should move forward with that one under her belt.

4 STAR SPECIAL: UNBRIDLED PRAYER: Made a dynamite first start for the Marty Wolfson barn, running off to an 11-length maiden win. Curious to see where this Songandaprayer filly shows up next.

LONGSHOT: MARQUIS STAR: Was in a really good groove until about late January. Ran a little bit better in latest fifth-place finish at 14-1; hoping that was a sign of better things to come.

GOLDEN GATE

ADVANCE TICKET: Clearly in need of a start off the September layoff, and didn’t run all that bad to be fifth in her first start back. Should benefit from that run.

CROWNED RULER: Hit the board for the first time when switched to grass. Worth taking a second look at that third-place finish at 32-1.

HEAVEN TONIGHT: SoCal shipper flashed good speed returning from a September layoff before tiring in the stretch to finish sixth. Expecting her to hang on for a better placing next time.

LOOK TO THE SKY: Long layoff, but is showing no ill effects. Back-to-back second-place finishes and should only get better fourth start off the break.

MERIDIAN DIABLO: Lightly campaigned six-year-old has run two of his best career races since trying turf. Tough beat when second at 54-1 and finished fourth at 20-1 after dueling last time; not as bad as you think.

RINGMASTER: Dueled his way to a clear lead in the stretch following a :44.84 half mile, but just ran out of gas late to finish a close sixth. Hard-knocking gelding is always dangerous.

TOUCH ME BABE: E Dubai filly continues to get better with each trip to post. In very dangerous hands with Steve Sherman.

URSULITA (ARG): Only one-for-32 lifetime and hasn’t won in quite some time, but continues turning in quality starts. Eight-year-old mare isn’t far away.

WHAT A WISH: Couldn’t have been more game in defeat when returning from an August layoff at Golden Gate. Earns diploma shortly.

4 STAR SPECIAL: MOST POPULAR: First or second in all four career starts, including a valiant runner-up effort in her first chance versus winners last time. Figures to go off lower than 7-1 next time.

LONGSHOT: NORTH J C: Broke his maiden at 32-1 in front running style in April, and following two well-beaten efforts, brought back those tactics with a decent fourth-place finish at 22-1. Sending him to the lead is clearly a must.