HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

DEL MAR

 

DANCING AT DARK: Clipped heels, steadied, and was squeezed back at the start to lose all chance in short sprint career debut. Beat half the field and didn’t lose by much, so it’s still too early to give up on this one.

ELESSAR: Did all he could do for second while four lengths clear of the third horse behind a loose lone speed wire-to-wire winner. His turn next time.

LEA THE PUNISHER: First starter turned in a promising debut, holding on for second by a head after pressing a fast pace. Won’t be a maiden for long.

LEAVING NEW YORK: Outran 23-1 odds to win after overcoming a poor start from the rail. Candidate for a repeat win back in a similar spot.

MARK OF A WARRIOR: Showed speed and held on best of the front-runners for second in return from an eight-month layoff. Should win off the Carava claim in second off the layoff.

MO CHEESE: Tried for the lead and ended up in a costly speed duel en route to an off the board finish. Needed a race off a year+ layoff, and should improve on the comeback trail.

RESPLENDENTLY: Got caught in a four-way duel for the lead and set the race up for the closers. Toss out that sixth-place finish and try again.

ROCKIN ZOLA: Set a pressured pace in return from a six-month layoff, only to get caught in the final half-furlong of a 6 ½-furlong race. Tough to beat next time.

ROYAL IMPACT: Came back from a brief freshening and closed for second, beaten only a head while five lengths clear of the third horse. Ready to graduate.

RUINATION: Got hooked in a five-length-gap speed duel and finished fourth as a result. Still a threat to shake loose up front.

RUSSIAN RIVER: Fits well vs. the local competition for Mike Mitchell. Prepped and ready off third-place finish in return from a six-month layoff.

SKY FLYING EILEEN: Drew the tricky rail and broke slow in career debut, but made a last-to-second move to outrun 23-1 odds in a 5 ½-furlong race. Won’t remain a maiden for long.

STORM’N MARISA: Got dueled into submission in return from a six-month layoff after holding on until deep stretch at 6 ½ furlongs. Dangerous speed vs. maiden claimers.

WARREN’S RUBY: Finished well but too late when second after getting stuck behind horses on the turn and then caught in traffic in the stretch.

BEST BET: SKELLYTOWN: Was bothered by a loose horse which ended up costing him the race when second by a head on 8/8. Try again.

LONGSHOT: LOOK TO THE SKY: Checked in traffic on the turn and fell back in the field before rallying again for fourth, beaten only two lengths. Just needs a clean trip.

 

ARLINGTON

 

APACHE SUNRISE: Needed a race in return from a year layoff, and never had a chance after breaking a step slow from the tricky rail post. Worth another shot.

BACK TO GOLD: Set a lively pressured pace and held on the best of the front-runners for third in his first race back from a six-month layoff. Can do in second off the layoff.

COUNT ON IT: Pressed and set a fast pace for $5k claimers and held on best of the speed horses for third. Don’t ignore in next.

DEVILS TOWER: Was bumped at the start when wanting to show speed in a race where the front-runners streaked away from the field. Expect good improvement in second race off the 10-month layoff.

POBRECITA: Showed good interest both early and late after being shuffled back in traffic into the stretch in a z-pattern third-place finish. Don’t overlook.

PUT AND TAKE: Rallied from far back to get up for third, just a neck out of second after encountering traffic in deep stretch in a race won by a loose lone speed wire-to-wire winner.

WILD ABOUT BOYS: Drew the rail and then broke slowly to really hamper her chances severely. Got on track, however, and made a run for second in a good effort and can continue to threaten maiden claimers.

WULFGAR: Got caught in a 2 ½-length-gap speed duel and held on for second while three lengths clear of his early challenger. Ready to graduate.

BEST BET: MIGHTY RULE: Got caught in a three-way, three-length-gap speed duel and held on well for second after never getting a breather up front. Finished far ahead of both early challengers and may shake loose next time and not look back.

LONGSHOT: LIVE TODAY: Was in striking position but was taken out of contention when blocked behind a tiring rival in the stretch. Better luck next time.