HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

DELAWARE

DEVIL’S GULCH: Fought it out on pace in latest third-place finish, and figures

 shrewd claim for winning Mike Pino barn; excellent overall profile.

EVENING PLEASURES: Blasted free on early pace in latest and simply proved

second best when it came to stretch run; lightly raced 4YO colt coming to hand.

JEANNETTE’S HOPE: Failed as the favorite in latest, but only after running into

 traffic trouble for the second consecutive start; juvenile due some racing luck.

ORWICK: Lived up to favored billing taking his latest on the front end; stay on

 board with back classy gelding.

PALM BEACH BUD: Set fast pace and gave way when upped in class and moved

 to turf for first start off claim by trainer Dennis; rebounds.

SEMORAN’S DECISION: Battled with pace throughout latest and finished a neck

 short in second at the wire; proven winner a nice claim for trainer Peter Klesaris.

SKIP A GRADE: Settled for third as the beaten favorite in his latest, when

making first start off claim by trainer McClelland; resume suggests he’s capable of more.

SPANISH CASTLE: Pressed the pace throughout latest, and faded a touch in stretch

 to finish fourth; early speed makes him a player in lower-end claiming sprints.

 

4STARSPECIAL: PRIMITIVE MAN: Battled on hot pace and gave way grudgingly to

 finish fourth in latest dash; cracks NW1X allowance ranks next time.

LONGSHOT: MYTHIC: Closed somewhat to be along for fifth in crowded turf group

 when making her first start since last-September; moves up in a hurry for Ritchey barn.

 

 

HOLLYWOOD

ALISSA’S ATM: Finished fifth, but was close up, and would have been even

closer if not for traffic and interference late in deep stretch. Don’t overlook.

ALWAYS FIRST: Finished fourth (moved up to 3rd via DQ), but lost by

 only a length and probably would have won if not for trouble in mid-stretch

 and again in deep stretch.

ANYONECANDREAM: Bet down to 8-5 in career debut for low-profile

connections, but was slow into stride and finished off the board. May want

 more distance, but should benefit from the experience so it’s too early to get off the

 bandwagon.

BEDUGUL: First starter tried to rally from last to first in a 5 1/2-furlong turf

sprint. Made a couple of moves in the stretch and got up for third and won’t be a

maiden for long.

BELDING: Got bumped around at the start and was unable to show her best

 early speed as a result. Can rebound with a better break.

BLACKFIN: Broke a step slow to begin last in a seven-horse field en route to

 flopping as the favorite on 6/23. Can make amends with a better start.

CUSCO: Tried to close from last to first in a 5 ½-furlong turf sprint, but was

 caught chasing a lukewarm pace and couldn’t get up in time. Stick with her.

DARK BEAUTY: Finished third but was beaten only a length after needing to

look for running room in traffic on the turn and then splitting horses twice in the stretch.

FARNHAM: Set a fast and pressured pace and held on to dead-heat for second

 in return from a six-month layoff. Tough in second start back.

LATIN HEART: Showed speed in well-bet return from a nine-month layoff, but

 needed the race. Will be tougher next time.

SPECTACULAR BAY: Broke slowly and awkwardly and still managed to

recover and finish a respectable second out of four. Looks good back vs. similar

 with a clean start.

VALID AGAIN: Got bumped around and squeezed back to last at the start and

then was forced to chase the front-runners around the track on 6/24. Better luck next time.

VEELA: Battled for the lead and never got a breather at a mile on turf on 6/22. Stil

l a threat to shake loose in a similar spot.

 

4STARSPECIAL: SPEED TRAP: Got hooked in a three-way, three-length-gap battle

 for the lead and held on well for second in return from a nine-month layoff.

Shouldn’t be denied in second race back.

LONGSHOT: THE DEMPSEY LOOK: Steadied in traffic on the turn and didn’t have

enough time to get back into the fray in a short turf sprint on 6/23. Worth another shot.