HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

LOUISIANA DOWNS

PIONEER TIGER: In from FG for his first start since late-February and off move to owner/trainer J. Gomez, he ran well through traffic to pick up third; stay on board.

VOO DOO LOVE: Set a clear pace and stayed on gamely to finish third in his first start since last-July; lightly raced 7YO gelding should have a productive turf season.

BENDANIE: Angled wide and rallied nicely to finish a narrowly beaten second on return to turf in his first start since mid-February at HOU; R. Urbina barn has won with two of first nine starters this year.

MALLARD’S BRO: Remains a maiden through seven career starts, but most recent placing was solid and marked his first turf attempt; graduation in sight.

INDIAN BLUFF: Rallied wide and just missed second when third on move to turf most recently; versatile sort offers value, brings solid overall record, and should be included in exotics.

SILENT LEGACY: Outran her 13.20-1 tote price when a strong second in her latest; a winner of five of 15 lifetime starts, she can move forward in upcoming third start of current form cycle.

4*SPECIAL: BIG LEVI: Didn’t have much racing luck (“Bumped start, steadied”) when well supported on tote and fourth; atones in upcoming second start since mid-March.

LONGSHOT: MACH TWO DOC: Chased and couldn’t make much of an impact behind easy tempo in latest fourth-place finish; can rally with pace up front and some racing luck.

 

CHURCHILL DOWNS

UPON REFLECTION: Rallied wide through the slop to pick up third of six when in from HAW and taking a suitable drop in claiming price for his latest; interesting, and perhaps a candidate for turf given pedigree.

MY FRIEND JIMMY: Chased wide and gave way to finish a distant fourth behind blowout winner in sloppy track off-the-turf route most recently; follow son of Purim back to turf.

CASINO DAN: Now has two starts under his saddle since back from lengthy break, and hasn’t had the best racing luck in either spot with tough posts and outside trips; primed for top C. LoPresti barn.

YOU’RE MY BUDDY: Gained third over a wet fast strip when making his first start off the claim for owner/trainer T. Ice; stay with him.

MIRACULOUSMO: Chased wide and continued in fairly even order when a useful fourth in his racing debut over wet fast ground; 3YO son of J Be K can show more early and throughout next effort.

STANLEY CUP: Rallied between rivals to finish second of 10 when behind a blowout winner in his racing debut; 4YO benefits immensely from the effort.

BRILLIANT FUTURE: Set the pace and weakened to fourth when after repeat in just her second start back from winter vacation; bounces back for trainer J. Scott (23% wins this year).

OUR EDGE: Didn’t have the best trip (“bumped start, four wide”) when fourth as the betting choice in his latest; proven veteran likely a worthy $16K-claim for trainer J. Woodard.

PURE SENTIMENT: Returned from November debut and managed fourth through trouble in good effort; must follow for always patient and dangerous N. Howard barn.

4*SPECIAL: D’WILDCARD: Moved up to starter allowance level for his latest and turned in game try to finish second, beaten only a head, when after repeat score; too sharp to ignore.

LONGSHOT: YANKEE SCHOLAR: Never rallied when sixth over sloppy ground (off the board in only prior wet track start) in his firsts start since late-March at TP; deserves another shot.