HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

ARLINGTON

 

BAKU BREEZE: Closed well from last to second in a race where no other horse gained ground from off the pace. May not be a maiden much longer.

CHECK MY DADDY: Got hooked and cooked in a six-length-gap speed duel and finished fifth as a result. Still a threat to shake loose and make amends.

DJEDDAH: Broke slowly in return from a four-month layoff. Needed a race, and can improve in second off the layoff.

FORWARD SAIL: Set a pressured pace down inside on the worst part of the track, and held on for second in a race that set up for a perfect-trip closer.

GREATEST STAR: Got shuffled back on the turn but then came again for a solid fourth-place finish. Just needs clear sailing.

HARPOON HATTIE: Got boxed in and stumbled when possibly clipping heels in the stretch. Can rebound with a clean trip.

HONEYMOON HOUSE: Was crowded and bumped late when rallying to outrun 20-1 odds for third. Be there for the wedding, not the funeral.

ITCHY TOES: Hopped at the start and then rushed up into a three-length-gap speed duel before settling for third as a result of those early efforts.

MINT CHIP: Took up and got shuffled back to last at the start, breaking five lengths behind the 11-horse field in career debut. Too early to give up on him.

NEVER RETREAT: Was too close up to the pace on soft turf in return from a seven-month layoff. Dangerous in second off the layoff.

STARS OF THE SEA: Reared at the break and lost all chance at the start. Give him another chance.

WISTFUL SMILE: Broke poorly to begin last in an 11-horse field but ran well and closed for third, just a nose out of second. Deserves another look.

BEST BET: BEST ACTOR: Well-bet first-starter closed well but too late behind a lone speed wire-to-wire winner. Ready to graduate, and perhaps more distance would help.

LONGSHOT: GOLDEN THIEF: Got caught in a six-length-gap speed duel and finished fourth, but was beaten only two noses and a head in a big effort.

 

MONMOUTH PARK

COACH SHAW: Seems to be back in form but the public hasn’t bought it yet as he got away at $33.60 last out despite a win in the previous race, follow against with similar.

PLEASANT BALLERINA: Sprinted clear from the outside post six, set solid splits and re-broke into the lane for a 1 ½ length score; on a roll.

SPIN MASTER: Stalked the early pacesetter for the first three quarters, took over into the lane and drew away for an easy score, backclassy sort must be respected right back.

STETTLER: Backclassy four year old made a good move to get into second last out and chased the wire to wire winner to the wire when checking in second, scores with $5k claimers before long

STOOGES FAN: Raced near the back of the pack early on when sent off at 28-1, was steadied and blocked into the lane but did recover to finish third, follow with $5k claimers.

TRIPLE E: Hasn’t run since January at Aqueduct, came out running and pressed the pace through solid fractions before tiring in the lane, should be respected off that return effort.

VEER: Was down inside setting the pace while under pressure from the start and stayed on well to finish third over a sloppy/sealed surface, was claimed by the Bruce Levine barn and should be tough right back.

BEST BET: KING CARTER: Six year old took some pressure early on and then drew away for the easiest kind of score last out winning by five lengths in a sharp time, ready for better for top barn.

LONGSHOT: FAKER: Ran well on the turnback in distance last out, steadied early, raced wide into the lane and finished up well for third, can handle any distance.