HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

SAM HOUSTON

BETH’S CHOICE: Broke awkwardly in latest, but made way to

contention and stayed on for a fair fifth; going better since back on this racetrack.

COUNT MY NICHOLS: Returned from lengthy absence with seventh-place

 finish she can clearly build upon; veteran mare brings some back class.

EGO ME GO: Returned from brief break and battled on pace before

fading to fourth in needed effort; note, filly raced with Lasix added and improved speed was encouraging.

ELLIOT’S WAY: Rallied for second behind blowout winner in impressive

 return from brief layoff; has maidens at his mercy next time.

JET G PRIDE: Saved ground to no avail as the beaten favorite in her latest,

 but is capable of better as her prior races here will attest; atones.

LIGHT ON BRIGHT: Did not have much success in career debut, but caught

 muddy surface and raced wide when asked to tackle route at first asking; stay patient.

POWER LAUNCH: Has flashed speed only to tire in each of his last two, but

is worth including in gimmicks at very long odds given his early lick.

WING DANCER: Rallied over muddy ground while wide and finished a

respectable third in latest; needs proper pace set-up, but worth use in

gimmicks given value.

 

4STARSPECIAL: CERTIFIED FACT: Will improve rapidly following fourth-place

 finish in return from break, in which he battled on pace; lightly raced 4YO with upside.

LONGSHOT: LEESTOWN WISH: Raced wide on turn and picked up fourth

 in group of 12 when making her first start since December-debut; 4YO filly

 with potential.

 

BAY MEADOWS

BANK ON LINE: Shipped in from Hollywood off a long layoff, and improved a

 ton to be third Jan. 28. Cal-bred fits like a glove here.

BUBBLES AGAIN: Showed more interest off the claim than she did in her

 debut. Looks like this four-year-old is headed in the right direction.

CLICKETY CAT: Ran second in her last three races all over different surfaces

 types [fast, muddy, yielding]. It’s time to respect her versatility.

DANGEROUS WOMAN: Has now made three starts back since the layoff,

including a second-place finish Jan. 27. The best is yet to come.

DIM SUM GAL: Emerald shipper has really held her own since shipping in,

 posting a win, a second and two thirds in her last four starts. Make the play.

EPIC POWER: Rain has forced his last two starts off the grass and

 he has suffered the consequences. Wait for this guy to get back on the weeds

 before you play.

I THOUGHT U KNEW: Doesn’t want to win, but can be very useful in the

 exotic wagers. Is now 0-for-9 if anybody’s counting.

LINO’S LADY: Reeled off three straight victories before running off the board

 in a turf start Jan. 27. Gets back on track on the dirt.

MARCUTIO: Ran one of his best races in a while, finishing second at 13-1

over a yielding course last out. Relies on back class for the score.

SMOKESTER’S PRIDE: Was in great form under the care of William Morey

 and getting claimed by Jerry Hollendorfer certainly can’t hurt. Watch out.

SMOKEY LADY: Dictated the early pace and splashed home to a 3 ½-length

 tally last time. Willing to see what she’s got at the next level.

 

4STARSPECIAL: A SONG IN A MINOR: Facing graded stakes company was

a bit too much [ran sixth in the GII El Encino Jan. 16], but made quick work

 of an optional claiming field Jan. 27. Can make it two straight.

LONGSHOT: SWISS EXCHANGE: Hasn’t showed his best in his last two over

 wet tracks. Dropping down with a purpose; just needs a fast track.