HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

LAUREL PARK

ARCHIVE: Jumped up with nice score when on the turf for the first time most recently; fresh 3YO might get another chance on turf before season is out, but also must be respected if tried on dirt again.

BELLE PEACE: Could only manage fourth as the failed choice in her latest, but was bumped at the break and then had a wide spot between rivals; can do better.

BOB BOB’S BOY: Lost ground while wide and put in a nice run to pick up third when asked to stretch to a mile for his latest; keeps getting better, and can notch his first win with winners now.

CAME EAST: Rallied nicely inside foes to be up for second, beaten just a neck, when blinkers were added to his equipment for his latest; next time.

FIVE DIAMONDS: Lived up to favored billing with front-running three-length score in her latest return from lengthy break; easy win off the bench is perfect return to build upon rather than digress.

MALIBU BEACH BUNNY: Raced inside and put in a mild rally to grab third of eight in what should amount to a useful debut run; juvenile daughter of Malibu Moon can improve with experience and/or going longer.

ORFANOS K.: Showed the way early and weakened in his latest, but did hold second; lightly raced 5YO gelding should only move up off initial try with winners and can lead NW2L group.

RESQUE SQUAD ONE: Chased throughout in willing fashion when second in his first try with winners most recently; lightly raced 3YO gelding continues to move forward.

SUPREME: Has yet to run a poor one, and upped her lifetime mark to two-for-three with a neck win as the heavy choice over allowance foes in her latest; daughter of Empire Maker moves forward again.

4*SPECIAL: OUTQUEST: Was squeezed at the break, away last of 11, and made up some ground to finish fifth in his latest; has been rounding to better form of late.

LONGSHOT: VICE OR VIRTUE: Lost some ground when wide in her latest, and did manage a fair fourth at long odds; seems to showing subtle improvement in recent starts, and can still offer giant tote price.

 

CHURCHILL DOWNS

BRUCE SPRINGSTEED: Battled on the pace and weakened to fifth of 12 in his racing debut – a nice show of sharpness for Kenneally barn, which isn’t always hell-bent on winning at first asking.

FLYING VISION: Made up a lot of ground with wide rally to pick up fourth in her latest when in from BEL for her first try here; moves up, but is at mercy of pace/race luck given her style.

HENNY’S HURRICANE: Made up ground from well back, but could only be second best behind near 20-length winner most recently; juvenile filly from McPeek barn continues to progress.

JUNCTION INN: Managed fourth of 10 in KEE debut that should tab 2YO colt one to watch; pedigree indicates move to dirt wouldn’t pose a problem.

MAGNET COVE: Put in a nice wide rally for second, when beaten a neck, at KEE in his first try over synthetic track, but also note drop to MCL level and first start for McPeek; dirt here could work.

MINT CHIP: Does have the raw ability, but didn’t really give his best when perhaps overmatched in KEE starts of late; move back to local turf could turn the trick at nice ticket.

PERFECT CHERIE: Overcame a bit of a rocky start to gain third in a field of 11 behind a blowout winner in her racing debut; promising sort from Dallas Stewart barn.

PLUTONIUM: Showed the way early, but through legit fractions and on pace duel, en route to fifth-place try when last seen at KEE; finds the right spot on turf here.

RIGAMARO: Rallied wide and from well back to pick up fifth of 12 after breaking 11^th from rail post at tough seven-furlong trip over KEE synthetic most recently; steps up off first start since early-September.

4*SPECIAL: UPTOWN BROWN: Argued the pace, led after a half-mile, and weakened to finish fourth of 12 in a good racing debut for trainer Helen Pitts; daughter of Pleasantly Perfect has plenty of room to grow.

LONGSHOT: HAMMOCK BEACH: Put in a wide bid to contention and finished sixth, beaten less than five lengths, in a good return from July-layoff in his first spin over this track; steps up for Pletcher.