HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

ZIPPIN ALONG: Five year old mare raced five wide on the turn after breaking from post seven, moved up to reach contention on the far turn and finished up well for second to the even money favorite, that was a big improve off her prior races and can be tough right back with similar.

PAPER WAITE: Six year old gelding broke his maiden back in November at Thistledown, ran well in his first try over this track but then put in three poor efforts, was outrun early on last out while racing in 8^th but did pass some rivals in the lane to finish fourth at 57-1; is a must use right back with NW2L $8k claimers.

SING IT AGAIN: Six year old mare failed in two efforts over the turf in her prior two starts, turned back in distance and move to the dirt for her last effort, chased the pace, made a bid but couldn’t finish it off checking in third, stay close in current form.

GRANBY BOY: Five year old broke from the rail last out, rushed up to battle head to head for lead, put away that rival and tired to finish third at 17-1; respect this runner right back with basement claimers.

UNBRIDLED THRILL: Four year old gelding chased the pace in his debut and tired to finish 7^th beaten about 12 lengths, sent off at 42-1 for his second career start, got away in midpack and passed a few late to check in third, tab with maiden $8k claimers at a price.

BEST BET: GANTU: Battled head to head for the lead last out when making just his second start back since an October layoff and tired in the drive to finish fifth, can clear for the lead next out versus with $5k and take them wire to wire.

LONGSHOT: REDWOOD MAN: Broke his maiden over $12.5k claimers two back, tried winners last out when moving back to the turf, set a swift and pressured pace to the top of the lane but then tired to finish fifth at 74-1 in a nice effort, tab right back in current form.

 

 

 

OAKLAWN

DEEP DIVE: Had no early speed last out racing in sixth early on behind moderate splits, circled the field while five wide and closed strongly to just miss late by a half length, very tough with NW3L $7.5k claimers.

BEER N CRICKETS: Three year old filly was sent off at 43-1 in her debut run last out, chased the pace from third but couldn’t go with the frontrunners late checking in seventh, offers value right back and should move forward off that effort.

ZAK BENATE: Had a solid effort in his debut at Turfway but then followed that up with a poor effort next out, shipped in here, added blinkers and closed well for third at 46-1 when trying winners despite being a maiden, won’t be a maiden for long.

REWIRING: Put in a solid effort last out to finish third at 45-1 despite breaking from post 12 and having to chase the pace while racing wide, that was his first start since August and the break looks like it did him well, tab right back at a price.

LA BOELEA: Five year old mare was bothered at the start putting her well behind early, started to move on the turn behind moderate splits, came seven wide into the lane and closed some ground to finish third, has put in two solid efforts in her last two starts and fits well with statebred maiden claimers.

BEST BET: PARTY HARD: Six year old gelding broke his maiden over this track back in February 2010, always seems to have layoffs and was returning from a July layoff last out, pressed the early leader through a solid pace and tired to finish fourth late, should improve off that effort.

LONGSHOT: FIND THE HUMOR: Was making just her first start since September, broke from the rail, brushed another foe, saved ground on the turn, slipped through on the inside to challenge for the lead and battled all the way down to the wire to just miss by a neck at 39-1; price play.