HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

LAUREL PARK

BABY SITUATION: Added Lasix and responded with an improved third-place finish when making her first start since mid-October; finds appropriate NW2L claiming spot to score.

POPPA’S PICK: Battled with the pace and stayed on nicely to finish second when in from PEN and making his first start for trainer K. Cartagena most recently; proven veteran must be used.

PERFECT TIME OUT: Shook off pace pressure and drew out to convincing score over six rivals in his latest; capable of keeping currently sharp form for winning M. Trombetta barn.

PUSHIN’ ON: Angled wide, put in a run, and flattened when it counted as the favorite in his latest third-place finish; another try for trainer K. Magee (23% wins last year).

ROYAL SPARKLE: Gave a belated run for third when back from a June-layoff and in from WO for her latest; lightly raced 4YO filly with maiden score in sight.

FORM FITTING: Chased outside, was bumped between foes in the lane, and weakened to fourth in her first attempt with winners most recently; H. McMahon trainee (24% wins last year) benefits greatly.

4*SPECIAL: COTTONWOOD WILL: Made up some ground from wide spot and finished a close third in very useful debut run; 3YO gelding son of Oratory moves forward for trainer R. Jenkins.

LONGSHOT: KELA’S GAME FACE: Chased and weakened to finish a distant fourth behind blowout winner in her latest; might surprise with expected improvement in upcoming third start of current form cycle.

 

TURFWAY PARK

ADDED DELIGHT: Raced wide around the turn and settled for third behind easy winner in good effort most recently; form headed in right direction, so include in gimmicks.

PASSION PARK: Attended the pace wide, led, and weakened in the lane when fourth in his latest; can fare better as prior third-place effort in blanket finish will attest.

DOUBLEFOUR: Made up a lot of ground with strong middle move and drove clear in the lane for second straight win most recently; hat trick in sight.

LET THE KITTEN RUN: Chased in second throughout, was carried very wide at the three-eighths pole, and still stayed on well late; spot on front end leads to NW3L score.

WILD ALEX: Outran his tote price of nearly 55-1 when able to rally for fifth of 11 with good late interest in his latest; primed for third start back from three-month break.

LOVE OF LIFE: Dueled wide on the pace and weakened to fifth in his second start since back in town via MNR; prior effort, a fourth-place try in a blanket finish, puts him in the mix.

FRENCH SADIE: Shot free on the pace and finished second to five-length winner in her latest; improved effort was needed, overdue, and can be built upon.

QAHR: Kept good form with a second-place try in his first attempt with winners; benefits from having stretched to one-mile trip for latest effort.

ISLE OF WRIGHT: Owns just a one-for-25 lifetime mark, but his second-place try two starts back when in from IND seemed a step in the right direction; might’ve been back a touch quick for latest fourth-place effort, and can bounce back.

4*SPECIAL: APOLLYON: Pressed the pace wide when burdened by extreme outside post position in a field of 10 most recently, and weakened to fifth; HAW invader moves up in a big way.

LONGSHOT: FINISH YOUR DRINK: Has shown subtle improvement since in from BEU and equipped with blinkers three starts ago; might surprise right group of maidens.