HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

HAWTHORNE

 

FROSTY MELODY: Outran 15-1 odds for fourth as the only speed horse in the race still around at the end. Finished just a head and a nose out of second behind the race’s 6-5 and 2-1 favorites.

LUI LUHUK: Got shuffled back out of the gate but then closed well and finished third, beaten only a head and a neck by a pair of perfect-trip 3-1 shots.

LUV NICOLE: Broke slowly from the tricky rail post and then rushed up toward the pace which totally collapsed in her race on 10/11, setting the race up for deep closers. Live at a giant price off that eighth-place finish.

OUT AT NIGHT: Checked hard in traffic at the quarter pole and lost his best chance. Can rebound wherever he shows up for his next start.

PISCES POEM: Broke four lengths behind the rest of the field, yet managed to get up for fourth, beaten less than four lengths by a loose, lone speed wire-to-wire winner.

QUITE A HANDFUL: Steadied when lacking room in the stretch, but still outran 33-1 odds for third, just a neck out of second. Should be quite a handful next time out.

ROMACACA: Didn’t get a great start but then rushed up into a four-length-gap speed duel and got beat as a result of those early efforts.

SOLO CONCERTO: Got caught in a three-way battle for the lead and settled for third in a race that set up for two closers

TIMELESS FACTS: Fought for the lead all the way around the track and was the only pace horse still around at the finish in a race otherwise dominated by closers.

BEST BET: OODLES OF FUN: Broke slowly and then rushed up to duel for the lead with the odds-on favorite, but managed to run a heckuva game race for second. Should win second start off the three-month layoff.

LONGSHOT: GOT A QUESTION: Showed good speed but got hooked in a four-length-gap speed duel in blazing route fractions. Looms a threat to shake loose next time.

 

CALDER

DANCES ON THE SEAS: Cut back in distance to six furlongs woke this filly up, rallying from the rear to post a career-best third at 60-1. Think they may’ve figured this Stormy Atlantic filly out.

DIVA DELITE: Only one bad effort from her all season, and showed a new dimension in her most recent trip to post while trying grass and two turns for the first time. What a treat.

I LOVE TO SAY YES: Has finished third at 17-1, 46-1 and 13-1 in three out of her last five starts. Worth tossing this consistent mare in the gimmicks.

LADY ACES: Didn’t seem to care for the slop in her unveiling, then improved over a fast going to place a well-beaten second at 11-1. From the very dangerous barn of Wesley Ward.

PRIME PRECISION: A clear early lead seems to bring out the best in this filly. Tired late to finish third at 17-1 while trying grass for the first time in most recent effort; very playable if she’s the controlling speed.

T.O.’S MIKE G: Son of Johannesburg took good money in his debut at 2-1, but could do no better than sixth after tracking the early leaders. Low-profile barn has quietly done well this meeting; look for improvement second time out at a better price.

4 STAR SPECIAL: ALLURING POWER: Tardy beginning in turf bow certainly didn’t help the cause. Makes amends for third-place finish as the chalk. 

LONGSHOT: PLAYFUL PAL: Six-year-old doesn’t win that often, but always seems to outrun his odds. Back-to-back fifth-place finishes at 32-1 and 31-1; closes from the back for a piece.