HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

SANTA ANITA

 

A GOLDEN JET: Was the only horse in her race to gain ground from off he pace, settling for fourth on a front-runner-biased track. Can win second start off the 3 ½-month layoff.

BRINSON: Outran 33-1 odds for third after closing better than expected against a speed bias. Live again next time against cheapies.

CANTONA: Closed the best for second in a race otherwise dominated by front-runners. Don’t overlook next time out.

CRISIS OF SPIRIT: Finished with interest for third on a track that favored pace horses. Deserves another look.

GNARLY DUDE: Got hooked in a two-length-gap speed duel in :21 and :43.3 fractions in return from two months on the sidelines. Don’t overlook based on that fourth-place finish.

HUGHESY: Fell too far behind on a strong speed bias day in return from a six-month layoff. Don’t overlook in return races.

ROYAL F J: Closed for second behind a front-running 8-5 winner on a speed-biased track. Looks good in next outing.

SMILING TIGER: Got off to a poor start and set behind slow fractions, but still rallied to victory in the San Carlos. Difficult to beat now.

SWAY AWAY: Lost to the lightning bolt The Factor in the San Vicente, but closed strongly for second against a strong speed bias in what was his first race back from a six-month layoff. Live on the Derby trail.

SWISS CHARM: Closed well for second against a speed bias, losing by only a length and a half to the front-running 1-5 favorite in a short sprint. Ready to graduate.

TRIPPED THE LIGHT: Faced a strong even-money favorite when racing against a speed bias, but just by only a neck in a game effort when 3+ lengths clear of the third horse. Worth another shot.

TRUMPET PLAYER JAY: Got hooked in a three-way, five-length-gap speed duel and held on best of the front-runners for third behind only a perfect-trip winning favorite.

UH OH BANGO: Needed a race in return from a 10-month layoff. Prepped and ready off of sprint return race, and fits vs. classy rivals.

UNUSUAL ENCOUNTER: Chased a loose lone speed wire-to-wire winner and outran 13-1 odds for second despite the dirty-work trip in return from a 10-month layoff.

BEST BET: IN THE PAINT: Chased a lone speed runaway wire-to-wire winning 7-5 favorite in return from a 5 ½-month layoff. Finished a clear second while 5+ lengths ahead of the third horse.

LONGSHOT: PRESHOW: Closed from back in the pack but couldn’t do better than fourth against the grain of a speed bias in a 5 ½-furlong race. Must play vs. maidens.

 

 

 

HAWTHORNE

 

CHIEF WANDO: Well-bet first starter ran well for third and deserves another shot after chasing a couple speed balls in career debut. May not remain a maiden for long.

FLYING ACT: Was the only closer in his race to make up serious ground from off the pace in a race where early speed dominated. Needs a clean start and can surprise maidens from off the pace.

FUEGO DEL TORO: Closed well for third considering the race was otherwise ruled by front-runners including the loose lone speed wire-to-wire winning 3-2 favorite.

GIVEN A ROSE: Pressed a loose-on-the-lead 4-5 shot around the track and managed to catch that favorite only to get beat by a perfect-trip stalker. May finally be ready to graduate against maiden claimers.

I WANT OUT: Set a fast and pressured pace and held on for second, beaten a nose in a head bob while seven lengths clear of the third horse. Ready to graduate.

RUN MAMA BEARE RUN: Got caught in a two-length-gap speed battle early and then never got a breather up front en route to a third-place finish. Worth another shot.

ZAZIE: Second-place finish in 11-horse field was a marked improvement and about as good a finish as she could have hoped for behind a loose lone speed wire-to-wire winning even-money shot.

BEST BET: DOMAIN’S RAP: Got hooked in a three-way, 2 ½-length-gap duel for the lead and had to settle for third while well clear of his early challengers in return from a 2+ month layoff. Can shake loose up front in return races off the layoff.

LONGSHOT: BALLYJAMESDUFF: Got caught in tight quarters at the start when breaking from the tricky rail post in career debut. Still ran mid-pack and figures to improve in subsequent starts – especially if able to get off