Churchill Downs horses to watch: Week of Nov. 23

He’s So Proud
Trainer: Mike Maker
Last race: Nov. 17, 1st
Finish: 2nd by 1 3/4
Beyer: 61
Woke up somewhat with the drop into a nickel claimer and was claimed by the winning stable of trainer Mike Maker. There is plenty of back class to this horse – he won a $40,000 claimer in fast time at Churchill in June 2012 – and he should have immediate upside off the claim.

Platinum Blue
Trainer: Brad Cox
Last race: Nov. 16, 1st
Finish: 3rd by 5 1/2
Beyer: 60
Ran evenly to be third in a quality $7,500 claimer and was claimed by a sharp trainer in Brad Cox, whose recent claims typically move up. She is eligible to starter $5,000 races and should be poised for a productive Oaklawn Park meet, if she doesn’t get to start before the end of Churchill on Nov. 30.

Tapicat
Trainer: Bill Mott
Last race: Nov. 16, 9th
Finish: 5th by 3
Beyer: 82
Normally a front-runner, she broke slowly in the Mrs. Revere and then was hung. To her credit, she rallied from 13th to be a close fifth, but she just isn’t a filly with the kick to win from such a position. Expect better at Gulfstream Park on the firm turf there. She was 2 for 2 on that course last winter.