HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMREICAN TURF CLUB

LAUREL

ARAB ANGEL: Took both turns wide in latest, but did show improved

early interest and can take the right group of maidens from on or near the

 front end in near future.

GOLD CASING: Has shown good early interest through first three

 lifetime starts, and stayed in well when caught wide giving chase in

latest; breakout effort on the way.

GULF OF GDANSK: Brings plenty of early lick to lower-end

claiming sprints, making her an automatic on our tickets.

JEWEL ALARM: Rallied to be along in time for head win most recently,

and was claimed by trainer Pavlick for $5K; right back.

QUICK PUNCH: Veteran brings early speed and solid overall profile;

early lick makes him a major player in claiming routes on this circuit.

QUIET COVER: Has been improving along the way, and has now

 managed third in each of his last two starts; note, maiden was

caught wide in latest and figures ready for diploma run now.

SECRET LOOK: Usually settles for second-best, but brings early

speed to local routes and is trained by Scott Lake; a must in gimmicks,

at the very least.

SLEW’S SMILE: Remained popular at the claim box for latest, and now

 goes for strong Gill/Cox combination going forward; gritty 8YO a proven winner.

 

4STARSPECIAL: GLORY OF LOVE: Has been hanging up consistent and

 solid figures in most recent starts, and figures shrewd $40K-claim for

 trainer Cox going forward; speedy.

LONGSHOT: SIDEKICK: More than held his own when raised to

 allowance company for latest, and in spite of bobbling start and dueling

spot; betters fifth-place effort next time.

 

SANTA ANITA

AVRANCHES: Had a bad, trouble-filled trip when fifth on 1/15. Don’t

overlook with a better trip next time.

CARANO: Hesitated and broke behind the field to lose all chance in

career debut on 1/12. Too early to give up on him.

CHEKHOV: Late developing Biancone 3-year-old is meant to be a good

 one. Be there when he starts reeling off the wins.

CLIMBER DOUG: Blew the break in return from a nine-month layoff,

but yet still managed to outrun 17-1 odds for second in an 11-horse field.

 Stay with him.

COZZEN VINNY: Bobbled sharply at the start and lost all chance on 1/12.

 Worth another shot and should improve with a clean start.

DARLIN COREY: Began the race eight lengths behind the rest of the

 field and had too much ground to make up at a mile on 1/12. Worth

another shot.

FORTY SUERTUDO: Got caught in a three-way speed duel and held on for

 third while five lengths clear of his nearest early challenger. Tab.

GAMBLER’S ROUTE: Needed a race after an eight-month layoff, but

 still ran well for fourth, beaten just two noses for second. Tough in second

 race off the layoff.

HAYATO: Toss out mid-pack finish on 1/14 when he missed the break. Live

 overlay next time out.

QUEEN OF SOUL: Got hooked in a speed duel all the way around the track

 and finally succumbed to fourth, beaten less than two lengths after

clocking a :22.3 one-mile fraction. Respect dangerous speed.

SCIPION: Biancone three-year-old should develop into a nice stakes horse

 here this winter and spring. Too early to lose hope.

STORMOFTHEFUTURE: Well-bet first starter broke slowly and didn’t get

it in gear in time in a 5 1/2-furlong race. Should benefit from the debut effort.

STOVE PIPE: Set a unrealistically fast and pressured pace before tiring to

 third, but was still far clear of his early challengers. Still looms a threat to

shake loose up front.

SWISS PLEASE: Outran 10-1 odds for fourth, beaten just a length for

second in return from a 5 1/2-month layoff. Try again.

 

4STARSPECIAL: SHANGHAI JOE: Bobbled and broke slowly and then

rushed up to press a loose leader before tiring to fourth as a result. Better

luck next time.

LONGSHOT: GREELEY’S GALAXY: Broke slowly and then rushed up toward

 the lead only to get steadied in tight traffic and taken out of the race on the

turn on 1/15. Just needs some luck and may not remain a maiden for long.