HORSE TO WATCH LIST

Horses entered on this list are horses that caught our horse handicappers and/or clockers eye with a better-than-looked performance. They should be followed when they are entered in a upcoming race! 

Comments will remain posted through the conclusion of the meet.

LOS ALAMITOS WINTER MEET

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6

R3 Gentlemen's Club (#4) colt making his first appearance since January 2024. Broke okay, lacked speed and made some head-way through the stretch. Looked to need this and will improve second time out. Look for at Santa Anita.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7

R4 Dorie Miller (#3) lacked speed but really came roaring through the stretch. Unlucky in defeat here and should improve off this race. Follow.

R9 Running Tiger (#2) fired but came up a bit short. Was getting to winner late but had too much work to do. Gelding was also very washy at the gate. Worth following during nighttime action at Los Alamitos.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8

R3 New KIng (#4) sharp win here in third career start. Bothered some on turn while pushed out wide, got to the inside to track, found stride to split rivals on turn, found room inside midway on turn to engage leader, got to lead and drew off for impressive win. Showed lots of maturity in this race and should be followed.

R5 Vorpal (#4) broke a step slow and bumped around at break, last early, keep inside by Maldonado, angled in through stretch to finish nicely late. better-than-looked effort.

R7 Ready to Dare (#4) hopped up at break and broke outward into rival, outrun early, dropped back on turn, and never reached contention. Poor start killed his chances.

R7 Rice Paddy (#2) stumbled at the break, found stride and kept inside under Herrera, tracked leaders while third into turn, taken outside midway on turn, kept to task for a sharp runner-up in debut. Will improve next time with race under her belt.

R9 How About Pavel (#6) tried to rate here as filly didn't get to the lead, rank early while pulling hard under Fresu, kept under a snug hold backside, made move on turn to engage from the lead, gamely kept to her task while tiring in lane. Nice effort from maiden here that looks ready to graduate next time.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13

R1 Wrong Turn Cupid (#1) broke okay, outrun early on, tracked in second with a fast pace early, couldn't sustain a rally and ran dismal. May be headfing in wrong direction now. Use caution.

R3 Hurricane Way (#3) gelding was wide every step of the way in win here. Hung out every step, Ayuso kept him busy in lane for a game win. Worth following at Santa Anita off this win.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14

R1 Frost Alert (#6) wheeled back in quickly and dropped in class by Miller, gelding was kept wide into first turn, angled in to track leaders, ranged up between horses backside, sent to get lead into turn, opened up, kept busy by Carmona and held on for a nice looking win. Not sure where he'll show up but should be followed. Sharp.

R2 Our Lovin Feelin (#6) broke okay in debut but showed no speed early, lagged well off the pace, kept outside backside, angled in in stretch to close nicely late for third. May need a bit softer crew but should be given a look at next time.

R3 Press Your Luck (#1) slow into stride from rail post,  sent through on inside to engage leaders backside, began to lose ground on turn, swung on for stretch drive but wasn't able to make up ground. Filly never looked comfortable today and may need a drop in class. Follow.

R8 Journalism (#5) nice looking win by son of Curlin. Broke maiden nicely in prior and scored gamely here in GII. Colt has some talent and deserves to be followed.

R9 Arromax (#7) broke awkwardly and was sent hard to get position, floated very wide into turn, improved position backside while outside, made mild rally on turn while wide, kept to task under Pereira while finishing okay. Wide trip hurt him. Draw line through this race.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15

R6 Naukanauka (#7) last to load, broke slowly, remained outside while well back early on, made headway backside while very wide, remained wide into stretch, shot to iinside through early stretch, kept to task but was given too much to do. Follow.

R7 Mission Beach (#2), broke a step slow, tracked leaders while last early on, began rally inside on turn, brought outside for stretch run, lugged in some through stretch but kept to task for a solid better-than-looked runner-up try. Follow.