HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

BELMONT

FROM THE POINT: Three year old gelding was trying winners last out after breaking his maiden against $16k statebred maiden claimers, pressed the leader early on, took over into the lane and held on gamely for the score, was claimed by sharp barn and could be a factor with statebred allowance foes.

GLOWING EMBER: Has been a disappointment since returning as a four year old, moved to the turf for the first time, showed good early speed before tiring in the lane, will give this one another shot on either surface.

KNOX: This English Channel three year old got on the turf last out in his third career start, was away in sixth behind some sharp fractions, gained some ground into the lane but checked in an even third, was claimed by the Chad Brown barn and must be respected right back.

MAURA’S PASS: Three year old filly made her debut last out going a mile, was away in third, moved wide around the turn but just couldn’t go on with it checking in fifth at 10-1, look for a much improved effort with that race under her belt.

ROAD AGENT: Four year old gelding came out running for the lead last out, set the pace from the start and to the top of the lane but tired in the lane to finish fourth at 12-1; would like to see this one turn back to a sprint, stay close.

SALISBURY KNIGHT: Three year old New York bred by Bernardini was purchased for $290,000 as a yearling, broke his maiden in his third start when adding blinkers two back, faced winners for the first time, chased the pace from third but couldn’t do any better than an even fourth, turf may be an option, tab.

SENDARIO: Four year old ran on well late after getting outrun in his debut, was outrun again last out and again was closing late, should be all set now for the Shirreffs barn.

THE BROTHERS RAP: Was outrun early on after some trouble at the start, came with a wide run around the far turn but just couldn’t go on with it late in a solid final time, give this gelding another shot at a square price.

THREE FOR ME: Tried the turf for the first time last out, chased the pace from third, moved up to challenge for the lead into the lane but tired some late to finish fourth at 44-1; must respect this runner next out at a price.

VIOLET HOUR: Four year old filly has been a disappointment since winning her first start in the country, moved to the turf last out, chased the leaders early on, took over the lead into the lane but couldn’t finish it off checking in a solid third, tab next out back on the lawn.

BEST BET: SEDA FRANCESA: Four year old filly was an impressive winner in her debut at Gulfstream, moved up to face winners last out while stretching out in distance but was up against as the favored leader got away with some very slow splits over the turf and was too much to handle late, this one has a future.

LONGSHOT: BIRCHWOOD ROAD: Was coming off a January layoff last out, got away in midpack behind moderate splits, moved up to get into contention around the turn but tired in the lane to finish 9^th, needed that race and the price will be right next out with that race under his belt, follow.

 

 

 

MONMOUTH

COUNTRY CHAPEL: Made his second start for the Navarro barn and was adding blinkers for the first time, came out of the gate running, set a sharp pace from the start and never looked back scoring by more than two lengths, ready for better.

GADGET MAN: Ran a few solid races as a two year old, was making his first start as a three year old, was outrun early on racing in 12^th, started to gain into the lane and finished up well for fifth at 12-1; may have needed that race and is all set now.

OKLAHOMA DEN: Five year old gelding was returning from an October layoff last out, was bumped soon after the start, moved up three wide around the far turn after racing behind moderate early splits, was wide into the lane and finished strongly to the wire to wire winner, tab.

SIXSHOOTERJUNCTION: Chased a solid field two back and could only manage an even fourth, dropped in class last out into a starter allowance race, pressed the pace from the outside post 7, was still there into the lane but tired to finish fifth at 10-1; a drop into a NW2L claimer will do.

VALLEY STREAM: Five year old likes this course with both of his turf wins coming on this track, was coming off an October layoff last out, came out running from the start, set the pace over the yielding strip but just couldn’t finish it off tiring to finish a close-up fifth at 22-1; all set now.

BEST BET: PURR IMAGINATION: Todd Pletcher trainee was sent off at 9-1 for his debut last out, didn’t break well after being in tight at the start, got his legs under him and came four wide around the turn checking in an even fifth, look for a much improve effort next out at a square price.

LONGSHOT: OAK BLUFFS: Four year old gelding was coming off a September layoff last out and moved into a NW1X statebred allowance race, broke a step slow but then rushed up chasing the odds-on favorite from the start and into the lane but tired late to finish fourth at 12-1, tab right back.