HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

TURF PARADISE

GET YOU: Was taking a drop into a $5k claimer after racing up the track on New Year’s Day; speedy runner showed the way into the lane but couldn’t finish it off tiring to finish third in a sharp time; very tough with similar for top barn.

HIGHDRUM: Four year old gelding took a drop in class two back into an $8k maiden claimer and ran a distant second as the odds-on choice, moved to the grass for his most recent start and ran on well for second to a well bred firster, may have found a home on the lawn.

MR. RANCHO VISTA: Hard hitting six year old has 10 wins and five seconds from 34 career starts, moved into an allowance race over the turf last out and ran very well to the wire finishing second after leading right from the start, handles both turf and dirt and loves to win, follow.

RABBITPEAK: Was coming off a November layoff and exiting a race in which he bled and was eased, was given plenty of time, returned in a five furlong race where he was outrun early on trailing the field in 11^th, came five wide into the lane and closed well for third; stay on board.

SAMBA’S RUN: Prior to her last start she had not been seen since October 2009 at Hoosier Park, she had a spotty worktab leading up to her most recent effort but some of those works were fast, she was outrun early on while racing inside and checked in an even sixth; that was a good starting point and should move forward off that effort.

BEST BET: IT’SMYBURTDAY: Well bred four year old filly was coming off a 13 month layoff last out and moved back to the turf, the works said ready and she didn’t disappoint scoring by almost three lengths as the even money favorite, can get on a roll now versus winners.

LONGSHOT: WALLY VAN: Needed the race last out as he was making his first start since August, raced evenly to finish sixth after chasing the pace early on, wanted to get on the turf and now has a race under his belt; follow this one over the lawn next out.

 

 

OAKLAWN

ALI FRAZIER: Chased the pace from the start in his debut run and also in his second start but he tired both times to finish up the track, a drop into a maiden may be what this one needs to deliver the knockout punch.

CRESRAN: Had not been seen in over a year, came out of the gate running setting a pressed fast pace and tired understandably in the lane tiring to finish eighth; speedy gelding should improve greatly off that effort.

HABITUAL: Was outrun again behind some solid early fractions and could only manage an even fifth at 6-1; was solid three back and this 6yo gelding was claimed, follow right back for new barn.

NOT SO WILD: Was making his third start back off a July layoff last out and ran an improved fourth at 43-1 after getting outrun just a bit at the start, follow this one right back at a solid mutuel.

PETITION FOR GOLD: Dropped down into maiden claimers last out and stretched out in distance, showed improved speed leading to the top of the lane and tired to finish fourth at 18-1; a turnback may suit, tab.

SAKAKAWEA: Was riding a three race win streak at Prairie Meadows but had not been seen since June and returned with a limited worktab, showed good speed under pressure before tiring to finish sixth, should be much tighter right back.

BEST BET: WIND DANCING: Had a moderate worktab leading into his career debut, took some money going off at 9-1, dwelt at the start of the race and spotted the field several lengths, raced well back before coming wide into the lane and finished up well for fourth, just needs a clean break.

LONGSHOT: PASSION RULES: Was making just his second start off a year layoff last out and again chased the early pace and tired but lasted a lot longer and checked in fifth at 16-1; should be all set next out when he will make his third start back off the layoff, follow at a price.