HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

MONMOUTH PARK

AT YOUR SERVICE: Dueled outside the leaders through the first quarter mile, took over that lead past the half and was well clear to the top of the lane before tiring to finish fourth, well behind the runaway winner; has some bottom now and can wire a similar group of $5k claimers.

CONDEMNED: Flashed good speed in his first start back since September; battled head to head with the favorite before tiring in the drive to finish seventh and last.

COSMIC DANCE: Chased the loose on the lead favorite right from the start last out and held on well for second to the runaway winner in a very sharp time; 5yo mare handles all distances, tab.

FAMOUS PATRIOT: Raced in third early on behind a moderate pace, dropped back a bit to sixth but then dropped back to sixth before coming back late to finish fourth at 12-1, hard hitting 5yo may need another drop down the claiming ladder.

MANY CROWS: Shipped down from Woodbine for his last start, stalked the sharp pace while racing in third and the closed some ground late to just miss the win by a half length, sharp runner fits with restricted $30k claimers.

OLYMPIC PEGASUS: Raced evenly throughout last time to finish fourth against a NW3L $25k claimer last out while returning from a September layoff, hails from a sharp barn and should move forward off that effort.

SHIPWRECKSTREASURE: Was never that far back while racing inside, saved ground and ran on for third behind the top two choices at 28-1; is a must use in all exotics right back.

SPRINGTIMEBABY: Three year old filly has definitely showed improvement over her last few starts, most recently a fourth place finish at 10-1 with statebred $25k maiden claimers and the value is there, take it.

BEST BET: UNCLE GIDGE: Chased a sharp pace over the turf last out while racing three wide but tired to finish sixth and last, is better on the dirt and was in good form, follow this one back at a decent mutuel.

LONGSHOT: WIDE OPEN ROAD: Was outrun early on behind a pretty solid pace when sprinting most recently, made up some ground in the lane to finish seventh at 33-1, needs a big pace at a longer route, stay close at a price.

 

COLONIAL DOWNS

GOLD PAGEANTRY: Rallied from outside and just a bit off the pace, but in an intimate gathering of four, most recently to pick up second; better set-up next time, and he has a win coming to him.

HAWAIIAN HULA: Put in a solid run to gain third in hot turf dash most recently, and has shown clear improvement since moved to turf two starts back; stay with her.

HIT ANOTHER GEAR: Failed as the odds-on choice when third yet again in his latest, but hasn’t had much racing luck in attempting to rally after slow fractions of late; one last shot for winning O’Connell barn.

MALIBU KATE: Showed a bit of interest when a fair fourth in just his second start since last-October most recently; can continue to round to form for R. Brown barn (19% this year) and offer value.

MISS OIL: Made it three straight wins, and again on class jump to ALW level this time, with latest front-running score and continues to improve; no time to jump ship.

RIGHT SPECIAL: Never really got on track when wide to nowhere and sixth over soft turf course in her latest; pitch the race, and expect a return to her better form before long.

ROCK TO BOP: Battled early and weakened to fourth when in from CT to try turf as a fresh face for his latest; could get another shot here, or perhaps back on dirt strip at CT, but stay with his speed.

SUBTLE STRIKE: Put in a fairly even try for fourth when asked to try extended route of ground for her latest, and can build upon her effort; daughter of Smart Strike worth another tumble.

WE HOPE: Rallied to take stretch command with a bold wide move in his latest, only to pay the price late and fade to third as the beaten favorite over soft ground; race will have him primed for next time, however.

4*SPECIAL: BROADWAY: Showed the way early only to give way in late stages when fourth of five in his latest, but may have been in a bit steep at $30K-tag; finds right group of NW3L types.

LONGSHOT: GHOST MARK: Dropped in to appropriate claiming spot for just his second turf try, also his second time with winners, most recently when a fair fourth off a slow break and wide move; all set now.