HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

PIMLICO

BELLA RICO: Stalked the pace, took over, and drove clear for debut win in the mud; 3YO filly appears to have some upside for trainer Burdick.

DADDY’S GABS: Turned in a fairly even effort for fifth over muddy ground – first time on a wet track in 15-race career – in his latest; prior placing was sharp, so stay with him.

DANCE WITH JAMES: Rallied up the inside to finish second behind a blowout winner in her latest; solid overall profile on D. Capuano trainee.

EMOSEWA: Raced with the pace throughout and came up second best in her first try with winners on March 23; can handle similar NW2L crew next time.

GREEK WARRIOR: Has done no wrong through two starts (did lose at odds-on in latest, but had rocky start and no pace to attack), and should only improve; Motion trainee moves forward quickly now.

INDIO ROOSTER: Set the pace, dueled when hooked, and stayed on gamely to finish second, beaten just a neck, when favored for his latest; cracks NW1X allowance condition next time.

RAISE A READER: Shot free on the pace from wide spot and tired in the lane when fifth on jump to MSW spot most recently; primed for better with lesser in upcoming third start of current form cycle.

TRUE TO A POINT: Lagged early and made up some ground late when fourth in her latest; proven mare is capable of more and can be used in gimmicks for value.

V P JOE: Returned from a lengthy layoff and put forth a game try for second after setting the early pace; noteworthy $5K-claim by trainer DeMario can move forward given his early lick.

4*SPECIAL: AUCTORITAS: Gained outside from just off the pace to finish a good second in his course return; now in the exacta in 10 of 19 lifetime tries, so key in on this gelding.

LONGSHOT: BABY PULPIT: Gained wide to finish third in an improved try with seven-pound “bug” aboard most recently; offers value in similar spot.

 

TURFWAY PARK

BOSCO RULES: Form has been a bit inconsistent of late, but gelding put forth a game try for third in his latest; offers value, so use in exotics.

CATALINA LINDA: Fourth to repeat winner in her debut, she showed major improvement to score in her second lifetime start most recently and can continue to move forward; follow for O. Modica barn.

GHOST CHAPEL: Owns a win and a pair of seconds over the course of his last three starts since a new and fresh face here by way of CD; keeps good form for Hancock barn.

GLINT: Raced wide when drawn in extreme outside post (11) for Spiral Stakes and could only manage a 10^th-place finish; 3YO son of Sharp Humor is better than that.

GOOD BUT WICKED: Made it two straight wins with wide move to draw clear in his first shot with winners most recently; can keep rolling in right spots for strong Maker barn.

HOLLY’S PAL: Raced wide to nowhere when an even fourth in his first start back from a two-month break most recently; benefits for next time.

 J L’S COPY: Put in a seven-wide run and gained to finish a narrowly beaten third in a good racing debut; 3YO filly bears watching with lower-end MCL types.

LAUGHTER: Didn’t have the cleanest debut journey (“Steadied, bumped”), and gained third of eight in his racing debut; well-bred 3YO beginner can make strides from here.

LIL MISS SMARTY K: Has won both career starts comfortably, and appears on to bigger and better things; lightly raced 3YO daughter of Smarty Jones bears following.

4*SPECIAL: DEVIL TRAIN: Chased and weakened to fifth when up in class to stakes level for the first time as a fresh face for his latest; something to build on.

LONGSHOT: BATOFF MOUNTAIN: May have been in a touch deep when up in class for his latest, but did dash clear on the pace before he faded; respect lightly raced veteran’s early pop.