HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

CALDER

CHINSEGUT BAY: Willing to give him one off the layoff--a fifth-place finish over the main track. Has always preferred grass; expecting a better effort back on the weeds next time.

EMPRESS MARIA: Received very little respect from the Calder faithful in her debut, but outran her 55-1 odds to place third after getting steadied at the start. Barn has very quietly had a good meeting.

LINUS E: Disappeared after a well-beaten ninth-place finish at Tampa on New Year’s Eve, then improved to finish fourth following a slow start in a Calder off the turfer. Son of Lion Heart is heading in the right direction.

MISS LEONARDO: Took her time to graduate, finally breaking maiden in her 13^th career start, but has been rolling since. Troubled second in most recent attempt; tab.

SURPRISE KISS: On the board in each of her last six efforts, including a maiden win in early July. Honor Glide filly is in good form.

THEYCALLMEJOHNNY G: Drop in class to maiden claiming $16K and two months off led to a better showing from this son of Seattle Fitz (Arg). Rallied from last of eight to complete the trifecta; on the improve.

4 STAR SPECIAL: GENUINE DIAMOND: Winless in five starts since late March, but has lost some real close ones lately. Can go long or short and rarely runs a bad race; hard to knock.

LONGSHOT: LITTLE BIT CLASSIC: Has never hit the board in six career attempts, but has run a couple of decent efforts over wet tracks at 20-1 and 58-1. Worth including at a price if the skies open up.

NO. CAL FAIRS

AWESOME GRAF: Turf Paradise invader has really done battle in his three starts in Northern California, dueling his way to a win and a pair of second-place finishes. Fights it out to the finish.

DEAL ‘EM DANO: Disappeared following a second-place finish in December 2006, and finally resurfaced with a strong third in mid-July. Battled through quick fractions of :21.49 and :45.01, and was tagged late to lose by a pair of noses; must respect off that effort.

EAST INDIAN: Lightly campaigned five-year-old has done quite well in limited action, winning his first two career starts earlier this term. Most recently rallied from fifth to complete the exacta at Pleasanton.

KING OF BLING: Placed in over his head while making his first start since early May. Can make an impact if wheeled back in a n2L.

PRAIRIE CITY ROAD: Returned from a lengthy layoff to annex two straight in April and May, then was given a breather. Looks like Mason has him going good again based on the four-furlong bullet in :47.80; go in with both fists.

RIVER LORD: Got back on track with a third-place finish at 13-1 following a trio of disappointing efforts. Not facing any monsters at the current level.  

RUFARO’S ROBERTO: Son of Bertrando outran his 20-1 odds in his unveiling to report home fourth, beaten about six lengths. Should be able to build off that effort.

SKYE PIPER: Off the board in all five starts in Southern California, but showed some improvement in his local bow, finishing fourth. Very lightly raced six-year-old should be able to move forward in these parts.

SUMMER COMET: Winless in 12 career starts, but like what we’ve seen in his dirt form since the beginning of the Fairs. Potential upsetter.

4 STAR SPECIAL: DUSTIN THE TRACK: Winning machine keeps switching hands, but continues to get his picture taken. Has won his last five of six starts; follow off the William Morey claim.

LONGSHOT: RHYTHM IN MY LIFE: Has lost each of her first five starts by double-digits, but has run a little bit better in her last two efforts. Most recently fifth at 31-1; take a closer look.