HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

WOODBINE

CONTANGO: Chased the pace throughout and weakened to be fourth in his first start since last-November; overdue on NW2L scene, but value in gimmicks.

SKYLARA: Put in prolonged run to score at route trip at first asking; stay with daughter of Ghostzapper for R. Attfield barn.

SPEIGHTSTOWN LADY: Romped on hot pace in debut, but had to settle for second when she sizzled early in her first start with winners most recently; follow filly with raw talent.

STAGE TRIP: Dueled and gave way to finish fourth in her first attempt versus winners, but should benefit; consider with similar crew for R. Laurin barn.

TETHRA’S WORD: Raced in fairly even order with some traffic when sixth in just her second start since last-October most recently; moves up.

TEXAS AGGIE: Put in fair try for third in her first start with winners most recently; 4YO filly moving in the right direction for R. Gorham barn.

4*SPECIAL: GINGER MINT: Gained ground from just off the pace to be along in time for win in her latest, continuing improved trend since blinkers were added to her equipment three starts back; stay with her.

LONGSHOT: SANGORE: Rallied off inside-out journey to pick up third in his first start since last-November most recently; needs the right set-up/trip, but offers value.

 

HOLLYWOOD

 

CARACORTADO: Chased a loose leader sitting the dirt-work trip and then still was showing good interest at the finish when disappointing in a deep allowance field. Ready for an immediate rebound.

CIRCLE THE MOON: Outran 16-1 odds for second, beaten only by the loose lone speed wire-to-wire winning 2-5 favorite in career debut. Sitting on a win.

FIRST DUDE: Returned to the winners circle against allowance foes, and must be respected this summer back against graded stakes competition.

FULL STRENGTH: Raced too far back when needing a race off nearly a year layoff. Looms a threat to graduate when back to full strength.

ITSNOTJUSTAGAME: Set a pressured pace in an extended duel up front when clearly needing a race off a long layoff. Don’t overlook.

JORDANELLE: Pressed a live pace and held on best of the front-runners for second in another good effort in a race otherwise dominated by closers. In good form now and dangerous.

LIBERIAN FREIGHTER: Scored wire-to-wire in a loaded allowance race over Caracortado and Jeranimo amongst others. Handles both surfaces and any distance up to 1 mile on turf or 7 ½ furlongs on Cushion Track at Hollywood.

MEGARIDE: Lost ground all the way around with a four-wide trip when trying to close from off the pace on a track that favored horses on or close to the pace. Try again.

POSITION A: Broke slowly from the tricky rail post and lost his best chance at the start despite getting on track late for fourth. Just needs to get off the rail draw.

ROMEO ROYALE: Prepped in a downhill turf sprint in return from a long layoff in first outing since Del Mar. Mean business next time.

RUNNING ISABELLA: Showed speed, set a pressured pace, and still outran 22-1 odds for third, just a head out of second in a race ruled by deep closers.

TANDA: Broke slowly when needing a race in return from a 10-month layoff in a turf sprint prep race. Ready to roll in continued return from the layoff.

WAVE OF APPLAUSE: Set an unrealistic 1 1/8-mile pace and still held on best of any of the horses who were remotely close to the blazing pace. Can win with better rating up front.

BEST BET: SUN’S OUT: Well-bet first starter overcame a poor start to finish third in a race won off by a loose lone speed wire-to-wire winner. Ready to win.

LONGSHOT: POWER SERIES: Foreign invader broke slowly and then rushed up to battle for the lead before tiring to fifth as a result. Finished just two heads and a neck out of second, and only needs a clean start to win next time.