HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

TURF PARADISE

PRINCE GIDDYUP: Broke his maiden two back at Emerald downs in September in a sharp time, returned from that layoff with blinkers off and showed a different dimension closing to finish third, sharp runner should be followed right back.

SAMECIGARETTEASME: Came off a brief break last out, came out of the gate running, set the pace through reasonable splits and tired in the lane to finish fifth at 32-1; offers value right back with statebred NW2L claimers.

SILVER’S LADY: Has shown much improved speed since shipping in here and her most recent effort when battling head to head for the lead before tiring to finish a close-up fourth; gets her diploma next out.

THREE BUDDIES: Followed up his debut run to close and finish third at 50-1 behind the wire to wire winning favorite, should continue to improve at and fits at a price with $5k maiden claimers.

YONA ROCKET: Turned back into a 4 and ½ furlong race, raced in mid-track, came with a five wide bid to get into second but couldn’t get by the wire to wire winner and tired in the drive to finish fourth, don’t dismiss.

BEST BET: FANTANDO: Three year old gelding returned from a June layoff last out, broke running and set a pressured pace through decent fractions tiring some late to finish third; should be all set right back.

LONGSHOT: STORM LEADER: Had a big win four back going wire to wire but since that time has been showing speed and stopping, however, last out pressed a sharp pace through a half mile in 44:3 and stayed on well for fourth at 12-1; can scoot away early on and never look back at long odds.

 

SANTA ANITA

 

BEAUTIFUL AMERICAN: Got hooked in a battle for the lead in a turf route and outlasted her early challenger for third. Try again.

BLUEGRASS CHATTER: Rallied from last to first to win, and was the only off-the-pace horse to win at Hollywood on that day ruled by speed. Can repeat.

CAJUN GENT: Got hooked in a four-way duel for the lead and held on best of the front-runners for third behind a pair of perfect set-up deep closers.

CLOCKER MOMENT: Broke slowly from the rail post and later was floated out and steadied twice in the stretch when closing well for third.

COME HOME QUICK: Got hooked up in a four-way hunt for the lead and held on for second after the race set up for a perfect trip favored closer. Knocking on the door now.

LADY ALEX: Broke slowly when needing a race off a four-month layoff, and could only gain for third on a day when speed horses dominated every race. Prepped and ready.

LAKE OSCEOLA: Outran 85-1 odds to run third in return from a layoff behind a 3-4 odds easy winner. Don’t overlook her again.

LISA LULU: Got caught in a four-length-gap speed duel, yet won the pace duel and still outran 22-1 odds for third. Don’t overlook.

MAKOMA: Got off slow from the rail post to be last early in a race ruled by front-runners. Just needs to get away from the rail post.

MANOFGOLD: Was slow to begin but did about as good as any closer did all day last time when he rallied for second on a day when every race was won by horses on or close to the pace.

RIBALD: Steadied in tight traffic on the turn after getting caught down inside from the rail post in return from a seven-month layoff. Overcame trouble to lose by only a length and can win in comeback from the layoff.

SOCIAL EVENT: Broke slow and then rallied from last to be fourth in a good return prep off a layoff on a day dominated by speed horses.

SPURRIER: Was forced out four wide into the first turn and could only chase a loose lone speed wire-to-wire winner from there en route to a runner-up finish. Runs well on any surface and remains dangerous.

UNEX DALI: Foreign invader needed a race back from a brief layoff but still ran well for a close second while three lengths clear of the third horse from too far off the pace in U.S. debut. Ready to roll now.

VAN BRIT: Finished second in a difficult two-turn turf assignment off a seven-month layoff. Looks good next time out.

BEST BET: CHANA’S GIRL: Closed ground from last to fourth in career debut despite getting bumped and squeezed back at the start, and was the only horse in that race to rally from off the pace in a 5F dash ruled by speed. Won’t be a maiden for long.

LONGSHOT: PAT OLCOTT: Bobbled at the start and then rushed up into a five-length-gap speed duel and settled for fourth as a result while still five lengths clear of her early challenger at the finish. Can shake loose up front.