HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

BELMONT

WORTH A BUCK: Five year old gelding has some backclass to call on and was always a horse that just didn’t want to win, he has found that killer instinct now with three wins out of his four starts, was claimed out of his most recent romp and can move up the claiming ladder and score.

WICKED IRISH: Three year old colt has a good closing kick and most recent third at 24-1 was another solid run, doesn’t always get that much respect at the windows and should offer value right back.

I LOVE IT: Had been in good form over the dirt over the last few months, they took a shot on the turf last out but he didn’t do much running checking in sixth, a move back to the dirt is in order, follow.

PRIZEMM: Six year old mare was making just her third career start last out, set the pace, was passed in the lane and then battled back to secure the half length score, improving sort should be given a look with winners and a possible move to the turf.

VOTER: Didn’t run a step last out when trying the turf trailing the field of eight throughout at odds of 44-1, look for this runner back on the dirt possibly with a drop in class.

SMOKIN’ ALICE: Has become a new horse since moving into the Rudy Rodriguez barn, with two wins out of three tries, most recently chasing the runaway leader, taking over and drawing away late, respect.

TALK THERAPY: Returned from a September layoff for his last start, set the pace over the turf to the top of the lane but tired to finish fourth, ran like he may have needed the race and the six year old gelding should be followed right back.

STAY COMPOSED: Three year old filly looked like she was well meant early in her career but she had a lot of speed and fades, however, she ran well two back to finish second and her most recent effort versus $14k maiden claimers she cleared off early and never looked back scoring by more than seven lengths, fits with restricted winners right back.

PROMISE ME A CAT: Showed plenty of promise as a two year old, and has been racing herself back into shape, she was all set last out making a few moves before rolling through the lane for the win, follow this runner against better.

PURGE BIRD: Didn’t get a big pace to run at last out as they got the half in 46:3, came with a very wide run on the far turn to reach contention but checked in fourth late at 21-1; can pop at a price with a bigger pace up front.

STAR LILLIE: Look in good contention at the top of the lane but didn’t kick on through the lane checking in fifth just a length off the place spot, may have needed that race, her first since September and can take a big step forward next out.

BEST BET: STAR VESTA: Took the money on the board last out when trying older claimers on the turf and stretching out in distance, stalked the runaway leader, took over into the lane and was very strong to the wire to score by three lengths, now has one win and one second in two turf starts, can defeat better, tab.

LONGSHOT: CALL UP THE CHIEF: Didn’t show much in six race career prior to the his first try over the turf, he moved up to face maiden special weights for statebreds, he pressed the pace, was still there into the lane but faded some late to finish fourth at 71-1, a drop into a maiden claiming race over the turf can do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

HOWELLING WIND: Three year old gelding was returning from a brief break last out, came out running for the lead through a half mile in 44:3 and just missed late by a half length in a sharp time, will be tough off that effort, follow.

TSUKAHARA: Hadn’t been seen since June 2011 at Colonial downs, returned running though closing well through the lane to finish second to the 1-2 favorite, looks all set now and will be a handful, tab the entries.

LADY REPENT: Turned back in distance last out when making her first start off the claim, showed speed while under pressure and tired from those efforts in the lane to finish third, she will be very dangerous with a better pace scenario next out.

ROMARIA: Ran on in her debut going off at 40-1 first time out, trailed the field early on behind moderate splits last out and closed well to finish a good third behind the two speed horses at 10-1, ready to score.

THE ADJUDENT: Three year old filly shipped in from Gulfstream for her last start, chased the pace right from the start and into the lane but tired some late to finish fifth at 11-1, well bred runner can improve again with maiden claimers on the turf.

BEST BET: FIFTH DISTRICT: Had to try and close into moderate splits last out over the turf and closed well to finish third behind the two frontrunners who got away cheap early on, any kind of pace puts him right there.

LONGSHOT: MARGO’S DELIGHT: Was sent off as a huge price last out going off at 62-1 over the turf versus NW2L $25k claimers over the turf, stalked the leaders from sixth, started to move up on the final turn and finished nicely for third to the favorite, respect this runner at long odds right back.