HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

PHILADELPHIA

CYA BABY: Finished dead last after being bothered badly at the start.

 Live overlay next time out.

EXTRAORDINARYEVENT: Got hooked in a duel for the lead in return

 from a four-month layoff. May have needed a race, but beware next time.

I’M A HOTTIE: Got bumped around in a rough start when trying to

get to the lead. Better luck next time.

LEGGO MY ECHO: Broke slowest in a 12-horse field and then hustled

up too close to a pace that totally caved in. Just needs a clean start.

LITA’S REQUEST: Showed good interest both early and late, but lost

 all chance when shuffled back during the middle part of the race in an

effort to get off the rail. Can rebound.

MYTHICAL TIME: Rallied for third in return from a 9-month

layoff in a 5 1/2-furlong race. Prepped and ready now.

NOTABLE ACT: Made a run from off the pace, but got stuck in traffic and

 checked in upper stretch to lost best chance. Try again.

PRIVATE IRISH: Was too close up to a fast pace that totally collapsed and

set the race up for the closers. Still finished just a neck and a head out

of second and can make amends in next.

STARSHIP SMOKESTER: Needed a race after a four-month layoff and

 didn’t run poorly when fourth in six furlong return prep race on 11/30.

 Stick with her.

TRIBAL COUNCIL: Got shuffled back in traffic before finishing sixth

as the favorite on 11/30. Worth another shot.

YO SAY: Stumbled at the start and did a good job just to finish third against

 nw3x types. Can improve with a better break.

 

4STARSPECIAL: PATCHES OF SPEED: Got caught in a four-length-gap

speed duel and emerged to finish third after her early challenger tired to

 seventh. Must respect.

LONGSHOT: DINNER BY MOONLITE: Stumbled at the start and lost all

 chance in return from a five-month layoff. Can win second race off the bench.

 

HOLLYWOOD PARK

BLACK BUTTE: Broke slowly and trailed early in a race dominated by

 horses close to the pace on 12/2. Don’t overlook.

CAPITANO: Tried a tough two-turn assignment in return from a

4 1/2-month layoff on 12/2. Still finished third beaten by just over two lengths.

CEE MISTER B: Lost by only a neck to a 1-2 favorite in return from a

six-month layoff on 12/4. Won’t be denied in second off the layoff.

COMPANY LAWYER: Broke slowly from the rail and never got into the

thick of the race, but still outran 46-1 odds for fourth in an 11-horse field.

 Can surprise with a better start.

CONTINENTAL RED: Hard-knocking 8-year-old is still going strong. Finished

 third in return from a layoff and must be respected in next.

DEVIL’S BAY: Baffert trainee started four lengths behind the rest of the field

after a rough start on 12/5. Worth another shot.

DISTINCTIVE FLYER: Finished the best of any of the three pace horses in

 her race on 12/5, and lost the race by just a length. Can beat local cheapies.

EXCESS SUMMER: Got hooked in a three-length-gap speed duel and lost

 as the favorite as a result. Still a threat vs. similar.

MOONLIGHT CRUISE: Rallied late for third, only beaten a length, in return

 from a three-month layoff on 12/3. Can do next time.

MORNA’S GIRL: Steadied at the start and had too much ground to make

 up from last in a seven horse field on 12/4. Better luck next time.

NOBLE PLAN: Needed a race in return from a 10-month layoff, yet still

 beat a couple horses including the favorite in difficult 7 1/2-furlong

assignment on 12/2.

PRINCE OF GOLD: First starter was rank early when near the back in a

 tough two-turn maiden race. Had a bad trip but still finished fifth, just two

lengths out of second.

SILVER TRAFFIC: Was well bet in return from an eight-month layoff,

but needed a race and finished seventh. Too early to give up.

TALKING TO JOHN: Held on the best of all the early speed horses for third

after surviving a five-way battle for the lead. Don’t ignore.

TATTLETALE TONYA: Well-bet first starter broke slowly and then rushed

up toward the pace only to tire as a result. Live overlay in second start.

 

4STARSPECIAL: IT’S A PERFECT DAY: Was close up stalking the pace until

 she got shuffled back to last on the turn on in a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint on

 12/1. Was left with too much ground to make up and finished fourth,

 but was beaten only a length.

LONGSHOT: OLYMPIO’S SONG: First starter was fractious in the gate and

 then broke slowest in a 12-horse field to lose all chance. Still beat half the

 field in a decent effort and looms a threat to graduate with a better start.