HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

WOODBINE

TOM JOY: Settled off the pace early on behind a solid half mile, started to move into contention at the top of the lane and finished up well to the wire to just miss the place spot by a half-length at 13-1, respect this runner right back.

LOVE IS GRAND: Had one start last year but didn’t do any running checking in 12^th, returned this year and was sent off as the longest shot in the race at 54-1; showed huge improvement closing well to just miss by a neck, tab right back with maiden claimers.

POLITICAL ERA: Came out running in his debut, set the pace over the turf while under pressure and was still there into the lane before tiring to finish fifth at 12-1; improves off that effort and fits nicely.

JULIANSHOME: Was sent off as the longest shot in the race at 73-1, was outrun early on for the early part of the race, started to move wide on the turn and finished up well for fourth at long odds, still offers the value right back.

PHOENIX COURT: Didn’t have much of a pace to run at last out when trailing the field of 8 for the better part of the six furlong race, closed some ground late to finish fourth, just needs more pace next out to have her best shot.

BEST BET: HATHAWAY: Put in a big effort most recently closing to finish third at 7-1 just missing by two necks and was well clear of the fourth horse in her first start off the November layoff, very tough to beat right back.

LONGSHOT: TIME OUT TY: Three year old gelding didn’t take any money for his debut going off at 32-1; set the pace from the start to the top of the lane but tired when it counted to finish fifth, improves off that effort, follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BELMONT

ECONOMIC SUMMIT: Was making his first start since March 2011, tried the turf for the first time, trailed the field of nine to the top of the lane and then exploded through the stretch to get up for the win on the wire, may have a future over the lawn.

HANNIBAL LECTER: Was coming off a November layoff last out, pressed the sharp pace off the odds-on leader and tired in the lane to finish fifth at 24-1; needed that race and should improve off that effort.

CITIZEN WELLS: Was making just his second start over the turf last out and his first since January, was outrun early on behind decent splits but closed well to finish second at 63-1; respect this runner right back at a square price.

TRANSLATION: Came out running last out from post 7 in his debut at five furlongs, pressed the pace into the lane but tired to finish fifth while being bumped at 11-1; two year old by Street Sense may appreciate a switch to the turf.

ROYAL SIGHTING: Was outrun early on behind a very sharp pace, started to close to into the lane and finished well to finish a clear second; Chris Englehart runner handles both the turf and dirt.

PROUD DAME: Was trying winners for the first time last out, got away in midpack but couldn’t make up any significant ground and checked in an even fifth at 32-1; tab right back off that effort at long odds.

SKINNY PETER: Closed some ground last out to finish fourth at 20-1 in his first start off the claim; will offer value in a similar spot and does handle the turf as well, stay close.

RUNFLATOUT: Added blinkers last out when moved stretched back out in distance, chased the pace from the inside but backed up when it counted, may have needed that race and gained some conditioning, a turnback and a move to the dirt is in order.

CHANNEL THE GREEN: Well bred three year old filly by English Channel, got away in fifth, moved to get into third past the ¾ mark but tired in the lane to finish seventh at 31-1; stay close in her second career start, price play.

KIBOSH: Three year old filly tried the turf for the first time and her first try since October, got away in seventh early on after bumping early on and closed some ground late to finish sixth at 11-1; should improve second try over the green and can offer the value right back.

BEST BET: IN SPEIGHT OFITALL: Was outrun early on while making his career debut, wasn’t hard ridden into the lane but really closed well through the lane to somehow get up for second to the runaway winner, may have a future ahead of him.

LONGSHOT: PAPA TOM: Ran a good race two back over the turf while pressing the pace, got away in a similar spot last out against pressing the leaders but tired some late to finish fourth at 27-1; respect this runner off that two efforts at a solid mutuel.