HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

AQUEDUCT

MY SMARTNESS: Was up against it last out, after breaking outward she was hard held behind the early leader, moved closer into the lane but just didn’t have the needed kick and tired to finish third, fits with $15k claimers and just needs and aggressive ride, tab.

THIS ONES FOR NINA: Came out of the gate awkwardly, was racing all over the place early on and never got into the race checking in seventh and last at 8-1; fits with $16k maiden claimers and should improve off that effort, the value is there.

ANN’S SMART DANCER: Chased the leaders right from the start from third and just couldn’t make up enough ground checking in third late about two lengths off the winner; was claimed by the Bruce Levine barn and will be very tough right back.

SALLY’S DREAM: Took a shot at the heavily favored frontrunner last out, was in second for most of the trip but tired in the lane to finish fourth, a turnback into a sprint could be in order, stay close.

ICE PILOT: Wasn’t given much of a shot last out when racing well back early on in 9^th and never made much of an impact checking in 8^th at 9-1, would give this one another shot in a similar spot at a solid price.

INTO THE FRAY: Came out running from the inside last out, set a pressured pace to the top of the lane but tired in the drive to finish fourth at 6-1 in a very sharp time, interesting to see this horse try and stretchout, could wire a group of $35k claimers.

MISS LIBBY: Stretched out in distance last out, chased the sharp early pace for a half mile but then tired in the lane to finish sixth at 13-1; has been solid in a couple of sprint races and a turnback may suit at a nice price.

ROCKY FIELD: Ran well to finish second two back on the lead, got to the rail last out after breaking from the outside post, found a hole in the lane but just got beat  by a head at 8-1; is sitting on a win now and will be tough with statebred $16k maiden claimers.

INFILTRATOR: Well bred three year old gelding from the Bill Mott barn made his debut on 1/26, got away in fifth early on but didn’t make up any ground checking in an even fifth late at 6-1; needed that race under his belt and should improve off that effort.

IBID: Four year old filly was returning from an August layoff last out, battled throughout on the lead and stayed on well in the lane to finish third at 9-1; must respect this runner right back with that return effort under her belt.

GALAXY KAT: Five year old gelding was making just his second start off a November layoff, chased the pace from third but couldn’t go with the leaders in the drive and tired to finish sixth at 13-1, could be all set in his third start back next out and expect to get a nice price at the windows.

BEST BET: QUORUM: Four year old gelding moved into contention at the top of the lane but just couldn’t finish it off and tired to finish fourth at 11-1, looking like he needed that effort, should improve a ton and will be very tough right back.

LONGSHOT: JONRAH: Four year old gelding was coming off an April layoff last out, was outrun some early on racing in 9^th, closed some ground through the lane to finish fourth in a solid final quarter mile at 29-1, should improve and could offer some value.

 

 

 

 

OAKLAWN PARK

T. THOMAS: Was making his first start back off a March layoff last out, came out running from the rail, pressed the pace for more than a half mile but tired to finish fifth in the lane at 29-1; should improve off that effort and a move back to statebred claimers will help.

ALARMING AFLEET: Stretched back out in distance after two sprint races when coming off a layoff, chased the leader throughout and was still there into the lane but couldn’t go with the leaders and tired late to finish third, handles many distances.

CAN’T PROVE IT: Raced off the pace and in midpack, came with a five wide run into the lane and rolled on by the leaders to score going away as the favorite, was claimed out of that race by a sharp barn and should be very tough with winners right back.

I’M SO FLATTERING: Three year old filly made her debut last out going around two turns, she got away in good order from post 10, stalked the leaders from fourth, but just couldn’t do any damage when it counted checking in fourth about seven lengths off the winner at 27-1; should be all set right back.

HORNET: Three year old colt by Tapit got away from fifth from the rail, made a move to get into second at the top of the lane but just couldn’t finish it off tiring to finish a close-up third, all set now for the Steve Asmussen barn.

BEST BET: JUST A COINCIDENCE: Seven year old raced evenly throughout to finish fourth most recently behind some slow early fractions, is a horse that usually needs a race off the layoff and should move way up right back off the claim, follow.

LONGSHOT: RED MASERATI: Five year old gelding was making just his second start over this track last out, battled head to head in a three horse duel and tired to finish seventh and last, another drop to the basement could be in order and can wire a field at a square price.