HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

OAKLAWN

JUST A COINCIDENCE: Shows a bullet work here as he readies for a second start back off a May layoff; has the backclass to call on and must be respected in any spot here.

MEELA: Was a big maiden winner here last year over maiden claiming runners, didn’t do much against allowance runners and has been working well leading up to a return here, follow.

PORT HUDSON: Hails from a barn that does ok with their runners at this meeting, only one win from eight tries this runner still needs to improve but should fit well with NW2L claimers.

SUMMER SOIREE: Hails from the ever powerful Jones barn, was a big maiden winner back in August but then followed that up with two even third place finishes, well bred runner is working well towards a return.

THE MALLARD MAN: Five year old gelding has run ok here in the past and was given the last four months and looks ready pop right off the bench.

TROJAN WAR: Six year old hails from the Donnie Von Hemel barn, has just started getting back to the races off a 10 month layoff late last year; stay close with this runner with mid-level claimers.

BEST BET: ROSSCAT: Four year old colt finally broke through for a maiden win against maiden claimers, finished a solid second against allowance foes at Hawthorne back in early December and fits well here.

LONGSHOT: GREEN GLORY: Five year old filly has three wins from 13 starts with one of those wins coming over this track last February, barn does well with their runners and the works say this one is ready to roll off the September layoff.

 

GULFSTREAM

GRAMMY’S QUEEN: Five-year-old can handle turf and dirt and has looked okay from only limited action thus far. Should be able to get it done at $25k.

PULSION: Promising juvenile of 2009 never got it going in four attempts at three. Not throwing in the towel yet; can fire fresh off bench.

REAL FORTUNA: Continues to show improvement since returning from the shelf in October. It’s now or never for this four-year-old daughter of Dance Master.

SETH’S TOY: Outran 16-1 odds when switching to grass at Calder, getting up for second. Coming along for David Braddy barn.

WASHINGTON’S RULES: Troubled debut second behind Stay Thirsty at the Spa in August, and hasn’t been heard from since. Training smartly for his sophomore unveiling; top barn adds to his appeal.

YAWANNA TWIST: Lightly raced runner from Rick Dutrow’s barn held his own in the Preakness with a fourth-place finish at double-digits. Can be a top handicap horse this term if he comes back the right way; beware.

4 STAR SPECIAL: ZANIAH: Back-to-back runaway wins, including an impressive five-length score at 17-1 when switched to grass. Keeps on smoking.

LONGSHOT: PHIL’S FIRST: Plenty of chances, but looks to have turned the corner in some of his recent form. Very playable if you get the right price.