HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

GULFSTREAM PARK

APPELLA’S WONDER: Not a big fan of getting her picture taken, but continues to turn in solid efforts. A slight drop in class may do the trick.

DODIE JO: Turned in a respectable fourth on the lawn in her unveiling for the Ken McPeek barn. Onward and upward for this daughter of Seeking The Best (Ire).

INDULGENCE: Handles every kind of surface out there, and always runs her race. No shame in finishing third in the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint.

RAGING SIX: Was in very good form at Monmouth last fall before hitting the sidelines for a brief stint. Disappointed versus tougher in his first two starts back, but woke up with a rallying fourth in a recent optional claimer. Very intriguing.

UFFIZI: Veteran turfer resurfaced from a freshening with a close fourth at blockbuster odds of 110-1. Nine-year-old still has plenty left in the tank.

XUNLEI: Flashy Saratoga maiden winner from last term kicked the year off with a solid third behind the promising Table Three Ten. Has done very little wrong in four career starts.

 

BEST BET: GROUPIE DOLL: Filly gave Grade I winner Boys At Tosconova all he could handle in a thrilling optional claimer following a very highly regarded victory in late December. Classy 4-year-old has plenty of options.

 

LONGSHOT: TOP OF THE HUB: It may not appear like it at first glance, but this son of City Place is starting to improve with racing experience. Get a price and go with it.

 

GOLDEN GATE

 

ANDYDAR: Exceeded expectations in his unveiling, rallying for fourth while racing a bit green at odds of 16-1. Try again at $8k.

C’MON MARQUIS: Doesn’t like to win, but is always right there at the wire. Must include in the gimmicks.

CANDY KISSES: Daughter of Limehouse is well-spotted at $12.5k. Gets her paws on one of these real soon.

JACKPOT SALOON: Disappeared for quite some time, but has returned with three respectable efforts, including a recent fourth at 21-1. Get on board.

LUKE’S LEGACY: Popular claimer was haltered right back by the Villamar barn, and responded with a second-place finish at 15-1. Always shows up ready to play.

RED CRÈME: Likes to win, but has found the first-level allowance condition just a bit too tough. Tab versus slightly lesser.

SAROS SECRET: Faced tougher foes in the past, and still getting a feel for the next level since graduating in November. Should move forward off fourth-place finish at 19-1.

TURN OR BURN: Flashed some early speed in her unveiling and tired to finish fourth at 12-1. Fires for low-profile barn.

 

BEST BET: MAN FROM LAGOS: Keeps turning in big efforts without getting his picture taken, and suffered a nightmare trip in latest. It’s go time.

 

LONGSHOT: WARREN’S CONCEPT: Ran big with the benefit of a turf prep for the second straight time to place second at 23-1. Better than record says.