HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

COLONIAL DOWNS

ALVIN: Showed needed improvement with acceptable third-place finish with surface switch for first career turf attempt most recently; diploma in sight for R. Graham barn.

EMERALD SONG: Improved in her second lifetime start with switch to turf and posted a one-length win over six rivals with wide rally; right back with winners in reasonable spot.

FINGER TAPPING: Gained wide and survived stretch duel to get the money by a nose as the choice in his latest; class drop could result in some confidence and set up repeat score.

GAFFNEY’S GRITS: Put in rally off inside trip to gamely get second, when beaten just a neck as the choice, in her latest; oft-beaten favorite finally grabs brass ring next time.

JAC ROXS: Dropped in to MCL spot, moved to turf, and responded with good third-place effort in his first start since last-October; lightly raced 4YO continues to develop.

KID CAROUSEL: Regained better form with good second-place finish on move back to the turf for his latest; hard-hitting 7YO veteran must be included in gimmicks.

LADY MUDBUG: Owns just a one-for-18 lifetime mark, but put in a big late run off an inside-out journey to gain third on class dip most recently; next time with same group.

PINK PALLET: Rallied for second behind dominant winner in her racing debut, which came in just a five-horse cast; juvenile filly should ultimately appreciate some more ground and/or turf.

WACHACHA: Lost positioning with wide spot and put forth a good rally to gain third on move back to preferred turf surface most recently; along in time in her next start.

4*SPECIAL: PEACENIK: Lost ground giving chase and managed only an even finish when fourth as the beaten choice for his latest; primed for move up in upcoming third start of current form cycle.

LONGSHOT: CATALPA: Showed subtle improvement with fourth-place finish off rocky journey (bumped start, wide) in her latest when moved to turf for first time; offers value for Figgins barn (23% this year).

 

CHURCHILL DOWNS

ASPHALT: Rarely runs a poor one, and although he was beaten as the choice in his latest he did put in nice run – (“bumped, keen early”) held clear stretch lead and settled for third; next time.

GURU: Put in a wide bid to get in contending position and then gave way to finish third as the beaten choice in her latest; may have needed return from March-layoff, and can step up off $15K-claim by trainer Cox.

HAVELOCK: Had typical gate woes in latest, but managed to put forth nice inside rally and gain second; colt with potential seems headed in right direction.

HE’S RISING: Added blinkers for move to turf and stretch in distance most recently and didn’t have much luck (“resisted restraint, 4w”) with fourth-place finish; next time.

MOYER’S POND: Put in a wide bid to contend and stayed on in fair fashion thereafter when third in course return most recently; proven sort consistently brings back checks and is on our tickets.

READY’S ROCKET: Made it three straight easy scores in his latest since coming back from brief break and getting back to CD; keeps rolling for Glyshaw barn.

RED WINE: Gave chase and weakened to finish fifth when asked to try added route at one mile in his latest; shows flashes, and can find right group at current class level.

SPARKLING SPIRIT: Was slow early but willing thereafter in what should prove a useful third-place debut finish; expect more early and throughout next start from well-bred newcomer.

SPICER: Had some trouble when fifth in his first attempt with winners most recently, and should build upon effort; talent is there for Nafzger barn to work with, so stay on board.

4*SPECIAL: GHOST FIVE: Put in a strong move along the inside to contend, but couldn’t finish up and settled for a close fifth in his latest; colt with touch of back class can prove shrewd $25K-claim for trainer Glyshaw.

LONGSHOT: RAPOSA: Showed speed and weakened when fourth in her latest, but was making her return from a brief respite; has more to give, and is likely to offer value.