HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

LOUISIANA DOWNS

MISS LA PRISS: Took noteworthy class drop for her latest, set the pace, and weakened late to finish fourth in what was at least an improved try; can handle similar crew on the fly next time.

ACES N KINGS: Did get away with an easy tempo, but was able to stretch his speed a route of ground when he finished second, beaten only a neck, in latest off-the-turf bid; 4YO gelding hits hard.

RAIN TOWN: Put in a wide bid as the favorite and weakened in the stretch to finish fourth in hot off-the-turf dash  most recently; can fare better in upcoming third start of current form cycle, turf or dirt.

MAKE IT ROSES: Raced in some traffic en route to distant fourth behind blowout winner in his latest, but move back to dirt may not have been the answer; has more to give.

RITZ MASTER: Lived up to slew of strong a.m. workouts when able to rally outside and be along in time for a half-length win in debut; right back with winners for trainer R. Young.

TENURE: Showed some life for fifth when back from September-layoff most recently; needs pace/race luck to set up his late punch with similar NW3L crew.

4*SPECIAL: L S GRINDER: Was caught wide battling with the pace in good third-place try when cut back to sprint for her first start since last-September; lightly raced 5YO mare with upside.

LONGSHOT: HEAVENS HALL: Turned in an acceptable and even fourth at big ticket when tried on turf for the first time in her first start since February; something to build on, regardless of return spot.

 

CHURCHILL DOWNS

LADY CHARLIE: Tried to climb class ladder in search of repeat for D. Kobiskie barn (32% this year), and settled for fourth in her latest; proven Indian Charlie mare remains worth following.

HARPER RAE: Made up plenty of ground to finish a narrowly beaten second in nice turf sprint debut for trainer W. Ward; graduation party awaits.

LAW DOG: Chased the pace and stayed on gamely when a narrowly beaten fourth on move to turf for second lifetime start; note, colt’s improvement also coincided with removal of blinkers.

HUMOR’S PUNCH: Raced with the pace throughout and prevailed for nose victory when moving forward in second start back since December-layoff most recently; can take another.

HOLIDAY SOIREE: Split rivals and drove clear for nice win in second start back since October-layoff; learning rating tactics have seemed to help daughter of Harlan’s Holiday.

GOODTIMEHADBYALL: Put in prolonged run from far back to miss by a neck when third in blanket finish most recently; on the board in half of his 30 lifetime starts, he can keep sharp form.

STRONG WILLED LADY: Made up a lot of ground to finish second, beaten only a length, when after repeat and stepping up in class for her second start since January; upside.

MYLUTE: Overcame sluggish start to gain third of eight in what should prove a useful debut (note, he was 20-1 on tote); T. Amoss barn (26% this year) moves $150K yearling forward from here.

FAWNING: Remains a maiden following seven lifetime starts, but recent trio of starts – including latest placing on June 17 – at reduced level suggest she is a likely graduate; set now.

4*SPECIAL: CITY COOL: Chased throughout when a game second in hot turf dash when showing needed improvement in third start of current form cycle; primed for breakout with trainer S. Asmussen calling shots.

LONGSHOT: SHOOTDEWORX: Managed fourth from wide spot in his latest, but has now been in a pair of hot six-furlong spots since MCL score at 7F at KEE; son of Ghostzapper might appreciate more ground.