HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

HAWTHORNE

 

COUNCIL OAK: Fell too far behind in an Arlington grass race dominated by pace horses. Finished seventh, but was only a length out of third and fits based on best effort.

CULLINAN: Closed from last-to-fifth, but a length out of third in a turf race otherwise ruled by the front-runners. Must respect.

FIRST TRUMPET: Dueled for the lead when needing a race in return from a six-month layoff. Finished sixth but lost by only two lengths.

HAPPY HENRIETTA: Pressed the pace and held on much the best of the horses in the first few flights in a race where closers ruled.

HIEROGLYPH: Got caught in a duel for the lead and outlasted his early challenger for third. Worth one more shot.

HIGH SIZZLE: Was bumped soundly and shuffled back at the start to lose his best chance in career debut. Finished eighth, but lost by less than four lengths and it’s too early to give up on him.

MY EX: Was right up there on a pace that was too fast for the sort turf conditions and held on well for third behind two perfect set-up deep closers.

STIG’S DEPUTY: Got stuck inside with no running room in the stretch when settling for fourth, only a head out of third. Just needs a clean trip.

ZIGAREE: Stalked a lone speed horse in a paceless turf sprint and did a good job just to rally for a clear second. Can win in return from the six-month layoff.

BEST BET: CARTOUCHE: Got caught in a battle for the lead and should have held on for the win if the jockey hadn’t misjudged the finish. Try again.

LONGSHOT: BLACK GIRAFFE: Got stuck in traffic and shuffled back, yet still had run at the wire and lost by less than two lengths despite finishing off the board.

 

BELMONT

ALARMIST: Two year old gelding ran on well through the lane to finish second at 15-1 to the odds-on choice while more than six lengths clear of the show horse, a race back on the dirt or the turf should get the job done.

B B FRANK: Goes out for the white-hot Rudy Rodriguez barn and has now put two in a row together since switching back to the dirt; easily defeated $7.5k claimers two back and then moved up and scored over $20k claimers, ready to move up and score again.

IMPLOSION: Two year old took some money for his career debut and trailed the field early on while racing three wide, came five wide into the lane and passed some horses in the drive to finish fifth, will benefit from that experience and is bred for the turf; follow back on that surface.

LIFE’S MEASURE: Was off slowly from the rail post last out, moved up on the inside to reach contention but couldn’t get to the wire to wire winner checking in second, will improve off that race and turf may be in her future, follow.

QUICKSTONE: Three year old gelding ran a much improved race last out when chasing the pace from the start and holding very well through the lane to finish third just a nose off the place spot, that was a big improvement over his first start in which he finished 10^th and last; fits with $16k maiden claimers.

QUIET GIANT: Disappointing in her career debut back in June over the turf, came back after that with two big wins on the dirt but tired to finish fifth when trying stakes company for the first time; another try on the turf isn’t out of the question either.

SKY MUSIC: Two year old colt was purchased for $140,000 last year, took some money late for his debut and got up to score by a head over the favorite despite racing greenly throughout, can only get better for the Pletcher barn.

SLEVIN: Not sure where he came up with that sprint speed last out when chasing the odds-on choice throughout and just couldn’t get by finishing second just ¾’s behind the leader by almost six lengths in front of the show horse; follow this hard hitting four year old gelding right back.

TAPIT DANCER: Closed to finish third in an off the turf race in his career debut and then followed that up with an even fifth place finish last out, the move to the turf is imminent.

BEST BET: FRENCHONIONSOUP: Four year old had not run since December when returning in a solid allowance field last out, chased the leader from the inside through solid fractions and understandably tired to finish fourth, now has that race under his belt and should be ready to roll in the right spot.

LONGSHOT: ELAROSE: Well bred three year old filly was purchased for $800,000 back in September 2008 but has not performed at all in any of her five races, however, there has been some improvement of late and maybe rounding back to form and can pop at a price.