Horses to Watch: 2007

Its always interesting to have a look around and try and pick out a few horses who ran this year that might have an impact next year. There is little point in mentioning the obvious horses like Invasor, Discreet Cat, Showing Up and Wait A While. It would actually be newsworthy if you thought they wouldn't be big time contenders next year. I'll try to come up with a list of overlooked horses that I think will be big factor as well as horses who I feel are being overestimated at this point.

3yo colts
Any Given Saturday - Pletcher trained colt with an explosive turn of foot. Both of his races have come on the Polytrack thus far which is a slight cause for skepticism but there really is no reason to believe that he wont love dirt. He's by Distorted Humor out of an AP Indy mare.

Tiz Wonderful - Very talented Blasi/Asmussen juvenile. He is the highest touted 2yo according to many professionals. He ran the best maiden race at Saratoga, which is significant. He also won the Iroquios at Churchill. He needs to relax and mature but all the building blocks are there.

Day Pass - Very impressive Darley/Godolphin sprinter type. Reminds me of an underdeveloped Henny Hughes. Loads of talent, good speed but class enough to carry it further. He has earned Beyers of 80 and 90 in two career starts. In his first start he was going short at Belmont and absolutely blew the break. But he made a big move on the turn to win impressively. Next out in the Nashua he went all the way on the lead and just ran away. Unfortunately he'll likely get sent to Dubai and have an abbreviated campaign but he's got potential.

3yo fillies
Octave - Not brilliant but solid, not unlike Balletto and Ashado at 2 years old. She is by Unbridled's Song so distance shouldnt be a factor. If anything she should improve with added distance. I might be interested to see her on the Turf as well. At any rate I think she'll remain the solid barometer of the division.

Appealing Zophie - I was not a big fan of hers until the BC Juvenile Fillies. She ran a monstrous race that day. She was out wide and chasing the pace rather than setting it, which is her preference, and the distance looked sure to stretch her. She hung on grimly in the lane and if this horse gets to the front she may be a tough one to catch. Watch for her to dominate the Fair Grounds and Oaklawn in the spring.

Turf Females
Arravale - Canadian based but talented enough to win stakes anywhere. Could be a good match for Wait A While. When they met the odds were stacked in Wait A While's favor. Arravale was coming off just a single 6.5f prep. She will be a force to be reckoned with.

Older Females
Asi Siempre - She seemed to come into her own late in the season. The revelation that she handles Polytrack and Dirt as well as Turf is sure to increase her options.

Pool Land - I think she may be the big girl in the pletcher barn next year, things didnt always fall her way this year but she's good. Her early speed will help her win a lot of the short field races that this division features.

India - Remember the "most talented horse I've ever had" statement from the Peachtree stable, upon the advent of her sale? Well they may not have been so crazy after all. This filly has always been capable of running very well but she has been terribly inconsistent. All of the sudden though she looks like a different horse and I believe it can be accounted for with a single factor. Two turns. She has been literally explosive in both her races around two turns and while a preference for early speed makes her more vulnerable against top company it would not shock me to see this filly emerge as a m,ajor player

Mo Cuishle - Undefeated Pletcher filly, apparently was one of his best. She sort of got lost in the shuffle of his BC runners

Sprinter
Exclusive Quality - Forgotten sprinter. He's 3 for 4 after taking the number of horses like Bernardini and Songster. Rates just off the pace and makes a run. I'm eager to see him against top class sprinters.

Older Males
Surf Cat - Cant remember if he was retired. If he wasnt and is able to put in a good campaign he is as good as anyone, and I do mean anyone. This horse can go short or long but he's a bit brittle and he isnt really a 6f type so I think longer races will be the main objective.

Brother Derek - Hardly overlooked, he was a bit of a wise guy selection in the BC Classic. But I've been saying it since the April. This guy has Medaglia D'Oro type qualities and he will be successful in races with shorter fields and limited pace threats. He may never win a Classic because it just doenst suit the way he goes but this horse has never been well beaten. He sticks around no matter how the chips are falling.

Buzzards Bay - He was injured after the Stephen Foster and to be honest I'm not sure if he is coming back as a 5yo but I think he should and I think he has much to give. The Oaklawn H was one of the strongest races of the first half of the year and he won it in style.