HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

PENN NATIONAL

LOVELIER: Came up empty when sixth in her latest, but effort better than it may appear – had post 10 around two turns over good ground; another shot.

PAINTED CLOWN: Shot free on the pace and weakened in the lane to finish second of six in her latest; can prove worthwhile $4K-claim for trainer Moreno.

PHIL THE BRIT: Hard-hitting veteran rallied gamely for second in his latest, and has now been in the exacta in each of his last five starts; maintains sharp edge.

POWER T: Rated, put in bid, and faded to finish fifth in course return by way of PID most recently; turn back from one-mile trip to sprint may prove what doctor ordered.

TAZALIYA: Raced in range throughout and gained the place award in good try most recently; proven veteran mare can maintain sharp form, so keep her on your tickets.

4*SPECIAL: POWER SWEEP: Returned from brief break, battled on pace, then chased through lane to finish fourth in needed try on route scene for first time; set now.

LONGSHOT: CELTIC RED: Has shown flashes in a pair of starts since back from two-month break, and has room for improvement from here; gaining course experience with latest fourth-place finish helps cause.

 

OAK TREE AT SANTA ANITA

 

BILO: Got hooked in a three-length-gap speed duel and held on well for second. Fits well back vs. similar claimers.

BLACK BEAR ISLAND: Surged late but settled for an underrated sixth-place finish despite losing the whole race by only a half-length. Can make amends.

CARNIVAL QUEEN: Broke slowly and chased a slow pace at a mile on the turf when everything stacked against her on 10/9. Better luck next time.

COO COCHOO: Got shuffled back into the turn and was left with too much work to do from off the pace despite being full of run on 10/9.

FREEDOM STAR: Hesitated at the start to begin four lengths behind the rest of the field and 17 lengths behind the leader. Toss out that race and try again as a likely overlay.

GAYEGO: Handled the surface with flying colors in the Ancient Title and should not be overlooked in the Breeders’ Cup, either in the Sprint or Dirt Mile.

GIRL OF MINE: Was all over the track seeking running room while rallying for third at 38-1 odds. Don’t overlook.

MARCADE: Missed the break to begin last in a 10-horse field. Made up some ground but then still had too much to do from too far off a slow pace. In fine form at present.

NO GRANDE: Broke slow near the back of a 12-horse field and later had some trouble in the stretch, but still only lost by just over a length. Can improve upon that fourth-place finish with a clean start.

PEACOCK ALLIANCE: Outgamed the 8-5 favorite but couldn’t hold off the perfect-trip closer after never getting a breather up front on 10/8. Worth another shot.

POLISH QUEST: Needed a race off a four-month layoff and really didn’t run bad, losing by only two lengths despite the sixth-place finish.

PRIVILAGED: Dueled for the lead and far outlasted his early challengers for third, losing by 2 lengths while only a half-length behind the odds-on favorite

BEST BET: MUSICAL GRACE: Just missed third by a nose as the only close-to-the-pace horse still around at the finish in a race otherwise completely ruled by deep closers. Ready to graduate.

LONGSHOT: SABINA FAY: Didn’t break alertly from an inside post and then rushed up to set a blazing pace before tiring as a result of those early efforts in return from a four-month layoff. Dangerous speed as a live overlay in next.