Welsch: Gulfstream horses to watch for week of Dec. 26
EXCILLY
Trainer: Christophe Clement
Last race: Dec. 17, 10th
Finish: 3rd by 3/4
Beyer: 87
Got trapped behind a wall of horses while seemingly full of run turning for home in the South Beach, and had plenty of run once she found a clear path. May have been best with cleaner sailing.
TRULY A MOON SHOT
Trainer: Kelly Breen
Last race: Dec. 17, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 8 3/4
Beyer: 64
He turned in solid effort in defeat. Made a good run at the leaders leaving the backstretch and continued willingly to the wire behind a runaway winner despite failing to switch leads through the stretch in a promising one-mile bow.
SOMETHINGELSE
Trainer: Leo Azpurua Jr.
Last race: Dec. 18, 9th
Finish: 3rd by 1
Beyer: 79
Had to await racing room behind tiring leaders into the stretch, angled well outside, and rallied belatedly once clear, narrowly missing against a good group of first-level allowance rivals on the turf.