HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

ARLINGTON

 

ACES AGAIN: Well-bet first starter broke slowly from the tricky rail post in tough two-turn turf assignment. Can improve quickly upon that mid-pack finish.

ADHSILVER: Had trouble at the start to begin three lengths behind the field early, but then rallied well late for third, beaten only a neck and a nose. Can make amends.

BORA BORA BOY: Got KO’d in a duel for the lead and finished off the board as a result. Too early to give up hope.

ENGINE ROOM: Got caught in an early six-length-gap speed duel before shaking loose and fading late due to those early efforts. Worth another shot.

EUROPA ROYALE: Finished third by only a neck and a head, and might have won if she wasn’t squeezed in tight quarters, losing momentum nearing the wire.

FRANKLIN COUNTY: Got hooked in a speed duel and had to settle for second behind a perfect-trip 6-5 favorite while comfortably ahead of his early challenger.

PEARL RING: Got caught in a 3 ½-length-gap speed duel and held on for second, beaten only a neck by the 8-5 favorite. Try again.

QUIET EMARATI: Steadied into the first turn and later got caught inside in traffic on mid-stretch when full of run late. Got through too late and lost by a neck but can make amends for that narrow defeat with a clean trip.

SMARTY MOUTH: Broke a step behind the rest of the field but closed best of all for second, losing narrowly to the 8-5 favorite.

TRIPPIN’ AWAY: Pressed a lively pace and was the only front runner in his race still around at the finish in a race otherwise ruled by stalkers and closers.

BEST BET: NO GOOD DEED: Ran a z-pattern third-place finish, showing good interest both early and late after getting shuffled back in traffic inside on the turn. Big threat to graduate.

LONGSHOT: SHARP TONGUE LADY: First starter outran 18-1 odds despite getting cut off at the start and breaking last in an 11-horse field. Closed for third at 5 ½ furlongs in a race won off by a lone speed wire-to-wire winner, and just needs a better break in next.

 

BELMONT

BLUE HILL BAY: Hard hitting six year old mare always gives it her best, her most recent second place finish when chasing the leader, taking over and then holding on well for second at 27-1 makes her the one to play right back with similar.

FIRST FLUTE: They added blinkers to this four year old filly for her last start, she broke running, set a decent pace and then forced the 1-5 right down to the wire just missing by a neck while more than six lengths clear of the show horse, follow right back.

FIVEFIFTEEN: Was claimed out of an optional $8k claimer at Finger Lakes last out, turned back into a sprint and moved up into a starter allowance race and ran very well to finish third at 75-1; don’t dismiss right back at long odds.

FLASK: Has been a new horse since showing early speed going wire to wire in a starter allowance at Saratoga and then most recently holding on for a clear second to the odds-on choice, sharp runner will be tough right back.

MILLENNIUM JET: Was down inside for most of the race after breaking from the rail, was forced to steady, losing some ground and then cut the corner into the lane closing for third, six year old gelding doesn’t like to win but it is now or never next out, follow.

ROMANS REWARD: The drop into a NW2L $35k claimer obviously did the trick as he scored going away in a very sharp time, look for the connections to protect him next out and follow him to the windows.

SARATOGA SINNER: Has all the backclass in the world and was too tough when dropped into what was a relatively tough $7.5k claimer last out, was claimed by low profile barn and should get on a roll with the lower end claimers, stay close.

SHADY ROAD: Took some sneaky money early for her debut run and she did close well up the rail to finish a well beaten third, should improve off that effort and fits with lower level maiden claimers.

WILD BANSHEE: Tried the turf for the first time last out but got a brutal trip when forced to steady at the top of the lane and never really had a chance to run until very late passing a few horses for fourth, follow this one right back off that effort.

BEST BET: OVERCOMMUNICATION: Was thought of highly after breaking his maiden but his second start was a disappointment, ran well to get up for second in a sharp time in his first start since February, should be all set now especially on the stretchout.

LONGSHOT: GLORY WIT A STORY: Took some sneaky early tote when making her third start last out after too very poor performances, was in contention at the top of the lane but tired to finish fifth, should gain from that start and the price will be right next out, tab.