HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

WOODBINE

BEEZIE: Showed improved early speed in her latest, but gave way to finish fifth when it counted; conditioning at seven furlongs should help her cause when she finds the right group to lead throughout.

EXCHANGE CAN RATE: Set the pace, was overtaken, and battled back gamely for maiden score by a nose in his latest; juvenile’s races have not exactly been fast, but he does have speed, is game, and has upside.

MR. ONLINE: Chased the pace, led in the stretch, and stayed on to finish a close fourth in game try most recently; gelding is much improved since blinkers were added to equipment two starts back and should graduate before long.

ORO VERO: Led early, was overtaken in the stretch, and stayed on gamely to finish a narrowly beaten third in very useful debut run; son of Cuvee shouldn’t be long for a graduation party of his own.

QUALITY LASS: Failed as even money choice when she set the pace and gave way to fourth in restricted stakes try most recently; give Casse trainee a chance to rebound, as she’s better than effort suggests.

WONDERFULLY: Returned from July-break in fine order, leading a group to clear score as the heavy choice; easy win should have daughter of Pure Prize ready to make it three straight next time out.

4*SPECIAL: DANGEROUS LOVER: Made the pace and drove clear to easy score with blinkers added for her latest on class drop; can score right back with winners in reasonable spot.

LONGSHOT: JOHNNY LA RUE: Outran her 22-1 tote price when able to make the pace and stay on for third in his racing debut at demanding seven-furlong trip; son of Harlan’s Holiday worth following.

 

SANTA ANITA

 

ANGEL OF MYSTERY: Got hooked in a three-way speed duel and outlasted the challengers for second, beaten only a head while four lengths clear of the third horse.

AVA PIE: Drew the rail post in career debut which is tricky for a first starter, and then lost all chance with a slow start. Just needs to get off the rail to improve for Mandella.

CIRCLE DRIVE: Got hooked in a three-length-gap speed duel at 32-1 odds and still outlasted his early challenger for fourth despite needing a race off an 11-month layoff. Try again in second off the layoff.

GAME CHARMER: Hesitated at the start to lose her best chance breaking at the back of a 10-horse field, but then was the only horse in the field to make an impact from off the pace to finish a solid third. Don’t ignore.

GOTHIC SAMURAI: Lost ground four wide on the first turn and hustled up into a battle for the lead and held on best of the front runners for third, beaten only a length.

LA MALAGUENA: Neil Drysdale first-starter trailed early but came flying home late in sprint prep career debut. May not be a maiden for long.

MO CHEESE: Set a fast and pressured, :22.4 one-mile pace and still held on for third in a race otherwise dominated by closers.

NEARLY WAS MINE: Got bumped at the start which caused the rider to briefly lose an iron, but quickly hustled up into traffic and held on for second in a good but troubled effort. Just needs a clean trip to graduate.

REAL SHARP: Broke slowly when completely overlooked at 42-1 in career debut, but closed solidly for fourth and can’t be overlooked in next.

SHESKEY: Got caught in a two-length-gap speed duel in a :22.4 first-quarter 1 1/16-mile fraction. Won the speed battle but lost the war, but can rebound in second off the layoff.

SIR ALLISON: Set a fast and pressured 7 furlong pace and still held on best of the speed horses for second, in-between the two closers and behind only the even-money favorite.

STAR DANCE M D: Lost ground five wide on the first turn when pressing a fast 1-mile pace. Finished the best of the speedsters for third in a race where the two closers ran 1-2.

TIME FOR ATONEMENT: Got pressed on the lead in a three-way, five-length-gap battle for the lead and held on for second in a race where perfect-trip closers ran 1-3. Time for atonement next time.

TRANSGRESSION: Raced up on a contentious and fast pace in return from an eight-month layoff and still held on for a clear second behind only a perfect-trip stalker. Should graduate in second off the layoff.

WHO U FOOLIN: Broke slow and rushed up toward the lead in return from nearly a year layoff. Don’t ignore live longshot.

BEST BET: CHICKIE CHARMS: Broke slow from the bad rail post in a downhill turf sprint, then rushed up into a three-way duel for the lead and still held on for third. Won’t be a maiden much longer.

LONGSHOT: MCDUFFIE: Stumbled badly at the break when needing a race off a seven-month layoff. Worth another shot in second off the layoff.