HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

FAIRPLEX / SANTA ANITA

 

BEE EFF EFF: Got cooked in a speed duel in well-bet return from an eight-month layoff. Too early to give up on her.

FIRST TIME JOHN: Broke slowly and had to come from too far back in short 5 ½-furlong career debut. Can be successful with a bit more distance.

MEMPHIS: Pressed and set a live pace and held on well despite settling for third, beaten just a neck while a nose out of second behind two perfect trip stalkers.

MISS GRORGIE GIRL: Got the worst of a three-way blanket photo finish after having the worst trip of all in a short turf sprint.

OUR BONITA: Broke poorly, rushed up and tired badly at Del Mar, but has good speed and is an excellent win candidate at Fairplex.

RUMMYSECRET WAR: Had some traffic from upper stretch to mid-stretch, but continued on gamely for third after the rider lost the whip. Don’t ignore.

SAMMY’S A RUNNIN’: Finished narrowly off the board but lost by only a half-length in a blanket finish in a race where perfect set-up stalkers finished 1-2. Try again.

SCOFIELD BARRACKS: Broke slowly and couldn’t move back into contention quick enough due to some traffic, then closed too late for fifth. Finished less than a length out of second and can’t be overlooked next time.

SPEED BIAS: Pressed a fast pace and held on best of the front-runners for second in first start off a five-month layoff. Ready to roll.

SPEEDWAY MONKEY: First starter outran 31-1 odds for third despite troubles at the start in a 5 ½-furlong race. Lost by just a length and may not be a maiden for long.

STEEL TRICK: First starter drew the tricky rail and broke slowly and had to rush up toward the pace down inside before fading to sixth due to those early efforts in a race ruled by a loose lone speed horse and the even-money favorite.

TUMMEL: Got off to a poor start which cost him his best chance in a 5 ½-furlong sprint. Just missed third by a nose and can be dangerous vs. maidens with a clean start.

UNUSUAL JAZZ: Broke slowly, got shuffled back further on the turn and yet still closed strong for third in a race where front-runners finished 1, 2, 4. Just needs a clean start.

BEST BET: VALUATION:  Bobbled at the start and then hustled up to be part of the pace, but still ran well for third, just a neck out of second despite needing a race off a three-month layoff. Ready to graduate.

LONGSHOT: GIBSON HOME RUN: Needed a race and tired after setting a fast and pressured pace in return from the sidelines. Dangerous speed next time out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARLINGTON

 

BAYOU TORTUGA: Broke a step slow when wanting to show more speed en route to a mid-pack finish. Just needs a better start.

CONCHACER: Battled for the lead and went too fast at 6 ½ furlongs en route to a fifth-place finish. Lost the race by just 1 ½ lengths behind perfect-trip closers and stalkers, and can turn the tables next time out.

DR. ZIC: Got hooked and cooked in a four-length-gap speed duel when seventh on 8/27. Toss that race out and try again.

HERO’S AND CROOKS: Broke slow and was bumped and pinched back at the start and came up short for fourth, beaten less than a length, despite a solid closing effort at 5F. Better luck next time.

LADY KITTEN: First starter didn’t run a bad race despite going down in flames at 6-5, and should be live next time as an overlay after just missing third by a head and a neck at the too short distance of 5F on the turf.

LARRY ZIP: Bobbled and was bumped around at the start in return from a layoff, yet still closed for a clear second behind loose lone speed wire-to-wire winner. Can rebound.

P D Q KIDDO: Got shuffled back behind a tiring rival in unlucky third-place finish in return from a 10-month layoff in a race he would have won. Looms large at a distance.

SAHM LIKE IT HOT: Stumbled at the start, recovered and rushed up to stalk the pace and came up short only a pair of noses in a blanket finish. Wins next with a clean start.

SANCERRE: Broke poorly, but still finished third, just a neck out of second behind a loose lone speed winning even-money favorite.

SEEKING THE COACH: Got caught in a three-way, 2 ½-length-gap speed duel and held on best for third in a race otherwise dominated by closers and a perfect-trip stalker.

SMARTYS EMPERORESS: Tried to close from too far behind after breaking at the rear and steadying in traffic early in a 5 furlong turf sprint. Fits well vs. the local competition.

BEST BET: JOSIES DISTRACTION: Set a fast and pressured pace and held on exceptionally well for third in a race otherwise ruled by closers that took advantage of the hot pace. Tough to beat next time.

LONGSHOT: KING OF CANDYLAND: Stumbled badly at the start and lost all chance in first race back from a five-month layoff. Worth another shot.