HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

LAUREL

BANNER ELK: Brings early speed to sprint ranks, but might need a

 class drop back to claiming scene for winning effort; consider in any spot, but

upgrade if dropped.

BEST BLUFF: Has raced in fair fashion in each of his last two – both

off-the-turf affairs – and can crack the maiden ranks once back on turf;

improved 3YO.

BOLSHOI BALLET: Has held nice turf form on main track in recent

off-the-turf routes; 4YO filly is consistent and gives barn some nice options.

ELECTORAL COLLEGE: Dueled until the late stages and finished a close

 third in latest when claimed by trainer Cibelli; has our vote for next time.

JAMAICAN JUSTICE: Middle moved while wide before flattening out in

 latest, and prior tries indicate he can do much better; stay close.

PATRIOTS PEAK: Running strongly over the course of his last two, he

simply seems to have found level to succeed at; hard to leave off tickets in

present form.

SLAMMING BABE: Showed breakaway early speed and just failed to last

 when a narrowly beaten second making his first start in two months; maiden

 win past due.

THE GIN GAME: Made middle move to contention and continued in fairly

even order when sharpened on turn back in distance for latest; primed for

 third start of form cycle.

 

4STARSPECIAL: U.S. JETS: Proven veteran lived up to favored billing when

 rallying strongly for latest win over lower-end claiming types; right back

 off claim by trainer Stodghill.

LONGSHOT: DANCE SPECIAL: Flashed improved speed and staying power

 when fourth after dueling in crowded group most recently; primed for maiden

 win in third start of current form cycle.

 

SANTA ANITA

BARTOK’S BANCO: Got off to a rough start in career debut in a race ruled

by two front-runners and still got up for third. Should graduate soon.

CABO’S DAWN: Got blocked in traffic in the stretch and finished off the board

 as a result. Better luck next time.

CRONENBOLD: Finished fifth, but lost by only a length and could have won if

 he wasn’t blocked through the stretch-run. Just needs clear sailing.

DIAMOND INDY: Finished fourth in very difficult nine-furlong assignment in

 return from a five-month layoff. Should benefit from the return effort.

FORTYTHREEDAYS: Outran long odds in return from a layoff, losing to

 only the 1-5 favorite while four lengths ahead of the next horse. May not

 be a maiden much longer.

HE’S HICKORY: Got off to a bad start and had a nightmare trip in his

sixth-place finish on 3/25. Deserves another chance.

JUST WONDER: Couldn’t make up ground from off a slow pace in return

 from an eight-month layoff in a difficult 1 1/8-mile assignment. Try again.

LINEOUT: Returned from a 10-month layoff with a turf sprint prep race on

3/26. Should be ready to roll now.

MAYNE ATTIRE: Got hooked in a five-length-gap speed duel with the

 favorite and finished five lengths ahead of that challenger. Still a threat to

shake loose.

OUTFOXEM: Missed the break and lost all chance at the break after starting

12 lengths behind the field. Didn’t run poorly from there on out.

SILENT KINGDOM: Got hooked in a three-way battle for the lead and

finished far ahead of her early challengers. Don’t ignore in next.

SKYWALKER RED: Set an unrealistically fast pace in a two-turn turf race on

 3/26 and still held on for a close third. Must respect.

SNATCH THE CASH: Got hooked in a speed duel in blazing fast fractions

 and still held on for third. Owns dangerous speed.

SOONEST: Returned from a year and a half layoff with an even effort in a

turf sprint. Will improve in subsequent races.

SUSPICIOUS TOWN: Steadied when squeezed back at the start and had

 too much ground to make up in a 5 1/2-furlong race. Worth another shot.

TRADE FAIR: Flopped for Frankel off an eight-month layoff, but is prepped

and ready now.

 

4STARSPECIAL: FRANKELSTEIN: Lost ground five wide early and then hustled

up to a contested fast pace and still held on best of the front-runners in his

race on 3/23.

LONGSHOT: FREE TO PLEASE: Needed a race off a five-month break, and

 had too much to do from near the back of a 12-horse field going six furlongs.

 Very tough in second off the layoff.