HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

KEENELAND/CHURCHILL DOWNS

BLUSHANDBASHFUL: Solid mare brings overall mark and has won on turf, dirt, and synthetic; most recently a fair fourth when in from TAM, but she can do more.

HOLY MOLY SUSAN: Could only manage fifth in her racing debut, but overall effort was more than acceptable considering blowout margin by winner in 10-horse gathering; daughter of Holy Bull improves.

BROWN ALMIGHTY: Got back to his preferred turf surface and managed a more than acceptable fourth at the graded level in his latest; stay with T. Ice trainee.

BERNIE THE JET: Held a clear stretch lead only to ultimately settle for third when tried on synthetic for the first time most recently; game sort with speed is still looking for second lifetime score.

STRIKE CHARMER: Made up a lot of ground to finish a narrowly beaten third of 12 in her racing debut over a route of ground on turf; daughter of Smart Strike shows promise.

TRUE: Chased and weakened to finish sixth when in from OP to try synthetic surface of the first time most recently; look for return to better form back on main track, or perhaps even on turf.

KELLY LEAK: Couldn’t finish up late but did hold his form to be a fair fourth in his latest; proven 7YO with more than $850K in the bank commands respect.

BIG TOWN: Rarely runs a poor one and should benefit from his latest third-place finish when in from FG for his first start since mid-December; T. Glyshaw barn winning at nearly 20% this year.

PTOLEMAIC (GB): Went evenly for sixth when shipped to the States from GB for his first start since last-September; expect a forward move now.

4*SPECIAL: MANA POOLS: Set a rapid pace and gave out to finish fifth when tested for class and in from HOU for her latest; benefits from excursion.

LONGSHOT: BILLY TWO HATS: Pressed the pace between rivals and gave out to seventh when perhaps in a touch deep most recently; can do more in upcoming third start of current form cycle.

 

PENN NATIONAL

RUMMY: Shot clear on the front end and weakened to finish third when making his first start off claim/class rise for trainer B. George; try again.

FIGHT CAT: Lagged early but showed some late interest to pick up third in an improved effort when making her second start since late-December; primed.

RUNNINFORTHEMONEY: Found his best stride late to pick up fourth when in from CT for his second start back from brief break; another chance for Todd Beattie barn (37% wins this year).

GHOSTWRITER: Has shown gradual improvement since back from brief break, and most recently finished a close fifth after pressing the early pace; clear shake can go a long way.

TAPIS MAGIQUE: Dueled on the pace, drew clear in the stretch, and settled for second best in his latest; on board in 31 of 48 lifetime spins, so use in gimmicks.

4*SPECIAL: PATRICK S: Lived up to odds-on billing to trounce preliminary restricted allowance foes in his latest; on to tougher assignments for always strong G. Preciado barn.

LONGSHOT: BALL ONE: Found his best stride too late when fourth in his most recent start; needs pace/race luck to set up late punch, but should offer value.