HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

TURF PARADISE

IRONSIDES: Shook off pace heat to post one-length score at very long odds; gelding can continue to develop and perhaps still offer value with winners.

LESSON IN DECEIT: Gained from way back to finish close third in his latest on move back to main track; brings touch of class and should fit well here this winter.

NATE’ N ED: Chased and gave way to fourth in his latest, but did have outside draw in 10-horse cast; early shake with cheapies could be the cure.

OAK FLAT: Dueled on the pace and stayed on to finish third in her latest; filly with speed has good overall record, so use in gimmicks always.

TORNADO VALLEY: Finished close fourth at long odds in improved try most recently; proven mare is on our tickets in lower-end claiming endeavors.

4*SPECIAL: TAHITE ROSE: Chased and weakened in her latest, but hasn’t been able to get near pace of late; look for improved try on dead-send to front next time.

LONGSHOT: OH YA: Never really got involved when a distant sixth in tough spot most recently; son of Petionville can still find his way on local scene, and offer value doing it.

 

 

HOLLYWOOD

 

BALLISTIC HEAT: Steadied at the start and steadied again in mid-stretch but still managed to close for third as the only horse in the race to make up ground from behind.

CARSON’S COPPER: Flashed good early speed but settled for a mid-pack finish when needing a race off a seven-month layoff. Try again in second off the layoff.

EMPRESSIVE WINNER: Chased a loose wire-to-wire winning favorite when sitting the dirty-work trip in return from a 3 ½-month layoff. Legged up for next time.

FRANK AND THE GOAT: Finished full of run at 5 ½ furlongs in fourth-place return from a five-month layoff. Don’t overlook in second off the layoff.

HERMIONE’S MAGIC: Finished strong after having to overcome a slow and awkward start, losing by a pair of necks in a tough race. Just needs a clean start.

LEAVING NEW YORK: First starter closed from 10th to third in career debut in a race where the front-running favored entry ran 1-2. May not be a maiden for long.

LONE JUSTICE: Broke last in a 14-horse field in well-bet career debut. Found his best stride late and ran like a horse who would greatly appreciate a bit more distance.

MR. HOT STUFF: Never really recovered fully from a slow start after drawing the rail post. Settled for fourth, but lost by less than a length and probably will beat similar next time with a better beginning.

ON THE VIRG: Drew the difficult rail post in a turf sprint when needing a race off an eight-month layoff. Prepped and on the verge of a win.

ONE SHOT: Got hooked in a five-length-gap battle for the lead with the favorite and outlasted that one for third. Dangerous if able to shake loose.

POINT ATTENDED: Got hooked in a 2 ½-length-gap speed duel and held on well for second while far ahead of his early challenger.

SMOKEY BEAU: Couldn’t get past the two front-runners, but finished third of 13 horses in return from nine-month layoff. Ready to graduate.

SURF TOWN: Got KO’d in a five-length-gap duel for the lead. Finished fifth, but was only about a length out of second and could rebound next time off the claim.

WAYMAN: Got hooked and cooked in a speed duel, but still only lost by 2 lengths while 10 lengths ahead of his early challenger. Still dangerous up front.

BEST BET: SH SH SHAKIN’: Broke a bit awkward from the far outside but then managed to make the best run from off the pace in a race dominated by the two front-runners. Can win with a better start from a better post.

LONGSHOT: PROPHETISE: Steadied sharply into the first turn to lose valuable position and momentum. Split horses late but the rally came up short as a result of those early troubles.