Churchill Downs Trip Notes and Horses to Watch (November 14-17)

The following are trip notes for horses who had sharp efforts or tough trips at Churchill Downs during the second full week of the fall meet from Thursday, November 14 through Sunday, November 17, and who figure to improve or run big in their next starts.

Add these runners to your horses to watch list, and bet them back next time if they land in a reasonable spot at Churchill Downs, or elsewhere. All of these horses have good chances to perform well, outrun their odds, and/or win their subsequent starts. Best of luck.

A J ROCK: Yet another sharp Peter Miller arrival at this meet chased and finished a clear second in return from a 2 1/2-month layoff and can graduate before the end of the meet.

BOXWOOD: Got in trouble into the stretch when forced into the hedge and then settled for fifth. Dangerous if able to find a turf spot before the end of the meet.

BRIEFCASE BULLY: Broke slow when not handling the rail post in career debut, then could have gained for a better placing but ran up into traffic in deep stretch. Too early to give up despite eighth-place finish.

CAIRO CAT: Got steadied too far back on the backstretch when trailing a moderate pace, then got bumped around in the stretch when trying to launch late run. Just needs clear sailing to improve upon that third-place finish.

CONQUEROR: Dueled for the lead in fast-mile splits with the favorite and held on for third after the challenger faded badly to last.

FAST MAGIC: Bothered at the start in seven-furlong debut, but was the only off-the-pace horse in the field to make a dent for third behind a runaway winner in a race where the leaders ran 1-2-4.

GIGGING: Showed good interest both early and late but could not overcome getting shuffled back on the far turn en route to a fourth-place finish. Can make amends.

HONEY PARADE: Pressed, dueled, got the lead, but lacked the bottom to hold on in return from a three-month layoff and settled for third, just a neck out of second. Worth another try.

MADAME NOVETZKE: Pressed the pace and managed to get steadied and blocked for part of the stretch run when settling for third off a three-month layoff. Try again in second off the layoff.

MADISON'S LUNA: Didn't get a great start and hustled up toward a fast one-mile pace and faded as a result of those early efforts in a race that set-up for the late runners. Finished fifth but was only 1 1/2 lengths out of second and will be live at a nice price.

MARK MY WAY: Slow at the start when wanting to show speed, then rushed up to set a pressured pace against a razor sharp rival and emptied out due to those early efforts. Can rebound.

PRODIGIOUS BAY: First starter chased a prohibitive runaway winning favorite and just missed second by a head in an effort that's better than it will look on paper. Won't be a maiden for long.

SPIROGYRA: Got hooked in a three-length-gap battle for the lead and beat the challenger but had nothing left to hold off the stretch runners and settled for fourth. Can shake loose up front.

ST. LOUISE: Still a maiden but can break through at this time of year after a solid third at Churchill when her closing momentum got stopped in traffic in the stretch.