HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

LAUREL PARK

CANIGETAWITNESS: Pressed the pace inside, held a one-length lead after a half-mile, and ultimately drifted and weakened to third in what should prove a useful debut run; juvenile to follow.

GOLD ON GOLD: Rated early and put in a nice run to lead in the lane, only to ultimately settle for second as the beaten choice in her latest; proven veteran mare gets another shot.

MARK OF A POST: Moved to contention between foes and couldn’t finish up when a fair third in her latest; lightly raced 5YO mare is capable of more for winning H. McMahon barn.

ALPHA SLEW: Lived up to favored billing with a 1 ¾-length score over 12 rivals in turf dash on Oct. 3; stays sharp for trainer K. O’Connell (17% wins this year).

RONNIE JAMES JR: Set the pace under some pressure and held reasonably well for third of 12 in his latest turf dash; adds value to gimmicks.

ILEEN’S STAR: Has blossomed since switched to turf four starts back, and gave another nice account when able to put in late wide rally for second in her latest; must use.

4*SPECIAL: LEAVENWORTH: Ran well for second in his latest, especially considering he was bumped at the break and then fought wide on the pace; next time for trainer J. Ness (26% wins this year).

LONGSHOT: COURT BAND: Veteran with 77 trips to the post has shown some signs of needed life since back at LRL for each of his last two, when fourth on each occasion; pace sets up late punch.

 

KEENELAND

THUNDERGRAM: Showed speed on stretch to route when in off debut placing in CD sprint, and weakened to third in the lane; moves forward quickly for strong M. Casse barn.

REGAL MELODY: Put in a mild bid for fifth of nine when in from PID for her latest, but was hung six wide; daughter of Songandaprayer deserves another chance.

VILLANDRY: Returned from a lengthy absence and put in a nice run to finish a narrowly beaten third of 12 in his latest; oft-absent gelding can develop nicely for C. LoPresti barn on a nice run of late.

RED WINGS: Now has a pair of races in him sine back from July-layoff, and hasn’t been much of a factor while showing mild interest; class drop for upcoming third start of current form cycle can do trick.

TEPIN: Showed dramatic improvement in her second lifetime start, taking to synthetic ground nicely and splitting rivals en route to 3 ¼-length maiden score; daughter of Bernstein worth following.

SWEET DADDY: Didn’t have the best of racing luck when shuffled back and able to put in a mild run for fourth in off-the-turf route most recently; juvenile colt is moving forward for trainer T. Amoss (32% wins this year).

DYNAGREEN: Lightly raced 3YO daughter of Dynaformer seems to be learning on the job through three starts, most recently a fifth-place effort on Oct. 6; needs pace/race luck to set up late punch.

SCHOOL ON A HILL: Has fell flat in a pair of graded tries following promising debut maiden win at AP in August; strong W. Catalano barn gets kinks worked out before long, likely back on turf.

ABBEY STREET: Turned in a middle move and continued well enough in fourth-place effort in off-the-turf try on Oct. 6; continues to round to form now with two starts in her since back from June-break.

4*SPECIAL: ALL ALEX: Remained popular at the claim box, this time going to trainer T. McCauley (26% this year) for $20k off a clear win in his first try since August; right back.

LONGSHOT: SILVER ARCH: Improved her position from wide spot and managed fourth when in from PID most recently; race over the course helps her for next time.