HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

CHURCHILL DOWNS

JAMAICAN SMOKE: Pressed the pace and faded to sixth as the favorite by way of GP when tried on turf for the first time at KEE; fresh face owns blowout win over CD main track, and figures set now.

FIFTY SHADES: Made up a ton of ground at KEE to finish second, beaten only a neck, after racing eighth in the lane; claimed by trainer K. Gorder for $40k; will be interesting to see next spot as latest came on synthetic.

MISS TAPIT: Moved up with fourth-place finish in return to turf as a fresh face at KEE most recently, and can carry effort forward; mare by Tapit is worth following.

BOWMAN’S CAUSEWAY: Has shown hints of return to better form of late, but faded after middle move in his latest and finished fifth; can do better.

INDYGO F M A: Failed to keep up in synthetic track sprint at KEE and finished last of five most recently; claimed for $40k by trainer J. Scott, and anticipating move back to turf.

SLY TOM: Made his return from absence following maiden win on CD turf last-October, and gave out through the lane to finish seventh with Lasix added; trainer B. Lynch fine tunes for next time.

PERNICIOUS: Made up a lot of ground to finish fourth, beaten two lengths, in maiden route at KEE most recently; might surprise over CD turf.

TELL ALL YOU KNOW: Rated a touch off the pace, took over, and drew out to impressive score in KEE turf sprint; lightly raced 5YO is still moving forward.

SWEET SHIRLEY MAE: Chased and weakened to fifth on KEE main track most recently, but is probably best suited to a dirt track; follow to CD for upcoming third start of current form cycle.

4*SPECIAL: LAW DOG: Raced wide and finished a fair fifth of 11 in KEE synthetic sprint, and was interesting $16k-claim for trainer J. Cook; has gone well over CD turf.

LONGSHOT: HOLY WHIRL WIND: Chased and weakened to seventh in below par try when back from December-layoff at KEE; could be candidate for CD turf, or perhaps back to Woodbine.

 

PENN NATIONAL

SHE’S SASSY: Chased in third throughout and finished beaten nine lengths behind dominant winner in her latest; can improve off her first experience at a route of ground.

BORRIGONE: Raced in fairly even order when fourth as the beaten favorite in her latest, but is capable of more and probably best with a forward spot from the start; follow off $7,5k-claim by trainer M. Rojas.

STORMDEFRERE: Weakened inside and faded to a distant fourth when cut back to sprint trip most recently; sharper for next time.

QUICK N PROUD: Raced with pace and drew clear for dominant score at odds-on most recently; winner of three of her last four can keep rolling, so stay on board.

PHOSPHOR: Showed some improvement to gain fourth on cut back to sprint in making his first start off claim by trainer T. Hooper; barn winning at 20% this year.

4*SPECIAL: MERCURY HEAD: Rated, rallied, and drove clear for nice score in his second start back from lengthy absence; takes another.

LONGSHOT: RIMRAM: Gained ground for third over good ground in his first start since poor effort at TDN last-November; can still offer value.