Horses to Watch as the Derby Approaches

Horses worth watching in the developing your betting strategy.

AQUEDUCT

Quantifier: Raced four wide more than 10 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, drifted six wide entering stretch in fifth, closed strongly to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile on April 4.

GULSTREAM PARK

Pit Alley: Broke seventh and last, advanced to fifth 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied three wide in stretch to make up 3 ¼ lengths and finished willingly to gain third by a head at a mile on the turf April 2.

HAWTHORNE

Born Supreme: Pressed pace in third less than three-quarters of a length behind after a half-mile, lost several lengths dropping to fourth in stretch, came again to make up nearly 3 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a neck and a half-length at six furlongs on a sloppy surface March 29.

KEENELAND

Smart Bid: Stalked pace inside 2 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, shifted outside between rivals for the drive, made up nearly two lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 3.

LAUREL PARK

Gaffney’s Grits: Raced sixth early hugging rail, dropped to eighth more than eight lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, advanced to fourth in stretch, rallied to make up 5 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on a good turf course April 1.

OAKLAWN PARK

Wicken: Broke eighth and last, raced 6 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, dropped to eighth at six-furlong marker, advanced five wide to fifth in stretch, rallied belatedly to make up nearly 3 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a head and a neck at 1 1/16 miles on April 1.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Conquer the Fear: Steadied near half-mile marker, raced more than two lengths behind in fifth after four furlongs, steadied again near end of backstretch losing a couple of lengths, went outside to find room for the drive, closed fast to make up nearly four lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at 6 ½ furlongs on March 31.

Headache: Raced more than five lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, dropped to sixth looking for room in mid-stretch, finished well making up more than 2 ¾ lengths and ran second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on the turf April 1; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 28 seconds.

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

Perf: Stalked pace in fourth two heads and 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, bumped and pushed out into rival dropping to sixth after six furlongs, pushed out two more times by same rival in stretch, rallied from fifth to make up nearly two lengths and finished third by a head at a mile on the turf April 1; advanced to second when runner-up was disqualified to third for interference in stretch.

TURF PARADISE

Broken Image: Bobbled at break, raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, finished willingly rallying from fourth to make up 3 ½ lengths in stretch and ran third beaten a neck and 1 ¼ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on March 30.