HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

ARLINGTON

 

AMAZING BUD: Set a pressured pace and never got a breather up front when fending off multiple challenges before settling for second. Looms a threat to shake loose up front.

DOROTHY Y: Ran the best of the speed horses after getting hooked in a three-way, four-length-gap duel for the lead in a race that set up for closers.

GIDDYUP GADFLY: Mountaineer shipper proved her mettle on the turf, setting a live pace and holding on for third, just a neck out of second in a race otherwise dominated by closers.

GRANITE CITY: Broke slowly and lost his best chance at the start when losing as the favorite. Can make amends with a clean start.

JILLY FROM PHILLY: Lost ground three, then four, then six wide turning for home and was left with too much ground to cover when closing for third. Don’t overlook.

LITTLE FRANCES: Chased a loose lone speed wire-to-wire winning favorite and settled for second, 10 lengths clear of the third horse. Won’t be a maiden much longer.

MELDRICK: Was bumped back to last at the break, starting 3 ½ lengths behind the field, yet still closed for second behind a loose lone speed wire-to-wire winner.

ORMOND QUAY: Battled for the lead from the 12-hole and held on for an impressive second in a race where deep closers ran 1-3. Ready to graduate.

RACE TO URGA: Was shuffled back and eliminated from contention at the quarter pole in the Hatoof, but cannot be ignored wherever he runs next time for Christophe Clement.

WIGMORE HALL: Had an awful trip in the Million with a slow start and plenty of traffic. Stick with him if he stays stateside.

YOU’RE TOO WILD: Got pinched back at the start to begin four lengths behind the field, yet still won going away in a big effort. Likely repeater.

BEST BET: MR. VEGAS: NY invader ran a nice second, which was all he could do chasing a loose lone speed winning favorite. Fit well vs. the local competition.

LONGSHOT: TACTICS SCHOOL: Made a heckuva run but faded late after expending too much energy making up for a stumbling start. Should rebound in next.

 

 

GOLDEN GATE
 
ADORCI: Consistent gelding broke through with a big win at $6k in latest. Puts them back to back for Roger Hansen barn.
FEVER RELIEVER: In pretty solid form throughout the season, and held her own versus tougher last time. Ability to handle all surfaces is a major plus.
HEART’S MUSIC: Probably needed one off the May layoff, and still ran okay to place third. Solid mare is overdue to get her picture taken.
KINTLA JOURNEY: Received no respect at 13-1 in June maiden win, and belied her odds again in most recent trip to post at Golden Gate, just missing by a head at 19-1. Don’t let the tote board fool you folks.
LETSGETITRIGHT: Hard to believe that he’s still a maiden following nine chances considering how competitive he was in SoCal. Seems to be getting better on grass in his last pair; poised to earn diploma.
ROOSTER CITY: Very interesting move to try him on turf and stretch him out versus stakes company after a pair of in-the-money finishes at double-digit odds on dirt. Has some back class; take note.
SECRET ELEMENT: Showed mild interest in his first two career attempts before disappearing in January. Working well for a return; bombs away.
SPORT KING: Has returned from the freshening the right way with three good efforts, led by a second-place finish at 10-1 last time. Gets his paws on one.
BEST BET: SHE’S ALL YOURS: Hollywood maiden winner has rolled a pair of two’s since heading north in August. Ready to get her picture taken.
LONGSHOT: KASEY K: Finally broke through in her 10th career start, and has held her own with a pair of fourth-place finishes since. Can make an impact versus cheapies.