HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

AQUEDUCT

BLAZING SONG: Made a good middle move to take the lead on the far turn while wide but could not sustain that run and checked in third, fits with NW2L claimers.

CHICAGO NATE: Didn’t run that bad last out when trying maiden special weight foes and a drop back into maiden claimers stamps his diploma past due.

LAKE CHAMPAGNE: Didn’t take any money for career debut but did press the pace before tiring to finish fifth, should be much tighter for Contessa barn.

MR. WHITESTONE: Although he did run a good race to finish second last out he is still much better at the one turn distances, look for a turnback to a sprint to get the win.

QUIET RENDITION: Didn’t get away to a good start and trailed the field for half the race before making a move on the turn to finish fourth while not being persevered with, follow with New York bred maidens.

SAY HEY WILLIE: Likes the inner track but last out was outrun early on before she made up some ground in the lane to finish fifth, set for the stretch in distance.

SHOW BOOT: Loves the inner track and ran on well for fourth last out despite battling through some quick early splits, needs only a drop to a lesser claiming level to take it all the way.

STONG: Was in way over his head most recently against a solid optional claiming field and will be better suited to a drop down the claiming ladder.

STORM CREEK RISING: Probably needed the race off the layoff most recently but wide trip while battling on the lead didn’t help the cause, should be set for best.

SWEET LA RIZZI: Showed huge early foot for her career debut last out and held a clear lead into the lane before tiring late to finish third at 33-1, will be tighter next out, tab.

TOWERING ESCAPE: Just missed the place spot when sprinting on the dirt for the first time and is set to stretchout now and score, follow.

TRICKY J C: Showed good speed for his career debut for a barn that doesn’t do well with first time starters and tired in the drive to finish fifth, don’t dismiss next out at a price.

WE LOVE ROCKY: Ran an improved race to finish fourth at 18-1 while just missing the place spot, fits with NW2L claimers and can pop at a price.

 

4STARSPECIAL: THUNDERING SUCCESS: Ran very well to finish third most recently in his first try for the Dutrow Jr. barn and stretchout now seems in order, interesting prospect.

LONGSHOT: MUG OF LOVE: Was putting pressure on the leaders from the start through some very quick fractions and it cost him as he tired in the lane although holding on very well for a close-up fifth at 39-1, can be dangerous on a loose lead going a route of ground or a turnback to sprint, tab.

 

 

BAY MEADOWS

BANK EMBLEM: Showed some heart in his maiden win, turning back the second-place finisher after dueling through some quick splits. Try at the next level.

C.J. HAWK: Has only run one bad race in his career—a seventh-place finish at Bay Meadows—but has been involved in every other start. Steady money.

DEE NORTHERN GIRL: Rounding into form nicely since hitting the shelf in April. Ready to take the next step forward after placing second Dec. 18.

DULCE HELADO: Fifth-place finish at 64-1 Dec. 19 was a little bit better than it appears on paper. The best may be yet to come third start off the layoff.

FERARRI FRED: Outran 11-1 odds in his debut with a fifth-place finish in the slop Dec. 18. Cal-bred is worth keeping an eye on.

FIREBAUGH: Turned in a very solid second in his unveiling for the always dangerous Greg Gilchrist. Son of Flame Thrower exits the maiden ranks shortly.

HANDFULLOFACES: Ran like a horse who doesn’t care for an off going, racing toward the back and never getting involved Dec. 19. Try again over more favorable conditions.

HIGH VOTE COUNT: Followed up on her third-place finish at 41-1 with a fourth at 9-1 Dec. 19. Interesting at a price for the exotics.

HOT GRIP: Turfer was out for exercise in the slop last out off the July layoff and still held his own finishing fifth. Gets it done on the grass.

KONA RUN: Bounced back well off a well-beaten sixth going one mile Dec. 4 with a six-furlong fourth-place finish at 20-1 off the claim Dec. 18. Clearly prefers the shorter distances.

NATIONAL EVENT: Showed little in his debut at six furlongs in the off going, but should move forward with some experience and added distance.

POWERMETOGLORY: Showed brief speed in his first race since March 2004, then ran out of gas and faded to seventh in the slop. Will be tighter for next time.

 

4STARSPECIAL: SASKI: Beaten chalk in latest dueled through :21 1/5, :44 4/5 and :58 1/5 fractions and finally gave way in the stretch to be fifth. Speedy and dangerous.

LONGSHOT: SISTER MARY HUGH: Has some back class and has every right to wake up if switched back to the grass after running in two off-the-turfers. Popped at 17-1 at Bay Meadows back in May; tab.