HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

HAWTHORNE

ARIZONA ROSE: Rallied for second in latest, showing continued improvement since she began her racing career; juvenile filly learning lessons well and worth following.

CHAKALAKA BABY: Will benefit from first try over course, in which she dueled inside and faded to fourth in crowded lot; finds right group at NW2L level.

EL CONDOR: Had streak of four consecutive exacta finishes snapped in latest, but held form fairly well considering he raced with more early energy than usual; next time.

LA CHERYL: Raced outside but could only manage an even third when it counted as failed odds-on favorite in latest; gets a chance to atone off claim by trainer Gryczewski.

MAZEL PIC: Never got on track when asked to cope with wet footing (sloppy) for the first time in her career most recently; easy to forgive race and use going forward.

PAPPASPHLESAS: Battled on pace along the inside and weakened to third in what should prove a beneficial and educational debut; juvenile steps up in a hurry.

SPIRIT OF A LEGEND: Has turned things around in a hurry over the course of his last two races with a win and a third; love his early zip in lower-end claiming routes.

TEXAS TREE: Gave chase along the inside only to tire in latest, but figures to offer value going forward and can find right group of lower-end sprinters to lead throughout.

 

4STARSPECIAL: OCEANO: Rallied from back and wide when behind slow pace over sloppy track in latest, but did lead in stretch before giving it up late; better than effort suggests.

LONGSHOT: TANNER TERRIFIC: Returned from break with a pretty nice sixth considering he chased hot pace at demanding turf route distance; dangerous state-bred.

 

BAY MEADOWS

CRAFTY VALUE: Doesn’t like to win [1-for-25 lifetime], but is always knocking on the door. An exotics factor at the least.

EL PRADO’S BOY: Showed little while sixth in Bay Meadows debut on the dirt, but is bred to love the weeds [son of El Prado {Ire} out of a Known Fact mare].

HIGH VOTE COUNT: Wanted no part of the added distance last time. Very playable on a cut back to a sprint; turf or dirt.

IRISH TIZZY: Really stepped up off his first two starts running third Oct. 6. Might even offer some value; tab.

ITSASGOODASITGETS: Didn’t quite embarrass himself when fourth Oct. 6, having his three-race winning streak snapped. Eight-year-old is still young at heart.

NATURAL TOUCH: Hadn’t been seen since finishing fourth at Emerald June 13, but came back with a fast-closing third at Bay Meadows Oct. 11. Means business.

RELAXING GREEN: Dead-heated for second after dueling for early command last time out. You’ve got the green light.

SKY SABRE: Tough outing for him Oct. 11. Showed sharp early speed, dueled in the lane, then steadied sharply in deep stretch. Deserved more than a fourth-place check.

TEJATI: It’s hard to believe that this Jerry Hollendorfer trained filly is still winless out of 12 starts this season. Going to break through any day now.

TENTH STREET: Beaten favorite in latest went a little too fast for his own good [:21 4/5, :44 2/5 & :56 2/5]. Builds off second-place finish.

TOPAZ JEWEL: Expecting a better effort from this filly after two sub-par outings off the Armando Lage claim.

VALLEY ROPER: Lightly raced four-year-old needed his first start since February. Set the early pace, before fading to last; should be tighter for next time.

 

4STARSPECIAL: LADYFORMAL: Made instant dividends for Wesley Ward off the Sept. 11 claim with a gutsy victory one month later. Looking sharp.

LONGSHOT: BUB: Got little respect off his Emerald form getting sent off at 34-1 for his turf debut, but ran better than expected finishing fifth. Interesting play over any surface.