A GAME OF SKILL

Off the Charts Trip Notes (May 17, 2013) spotlights horses throughout the country who encountered some type of significant or meaningful trouble in their most recent start or just gave an extremely impressive performance. Please note that horses spotlighted in Off the Charts Trip Notes are never an automatic bet back, but rather runners to give a serious look at given the trips and the trouble spotted by our expert handicappers at AGameofSkill.com.  Horses below listed in track name order.

At Arlington

JJ’S CLASSIC (Race 10 @AP, May 11, 2013, Mile, turf, Claiming $25,000) Widest in the gate was widest into the first turn and widest for almost all of the backstretch. Just when field entered the far turn the rider, James Graham, dove to the inside, and just when it appeared she would make progress she had to wait. She was behind the leaders down the stretch and Graham never could let her loose. The well bet filly was much better than her finish would leave most to believe.

At Belmont Park

HYPER (Race 8 @BEL, May 15, 2013, Turf, Stakes). Bet down to 2-1 in The Good Reward Stakes, this guy was full of run turning for home when he was completed stymied behind horses while down of the rail. When he finally got clear inside the 1/16th pole, he finished willingly to gain the place spot behind the Grade 1 winner Teaks North. Unlucky trip cost him the chance for the win.

At Churchill

BARRISTER JIM (Race 8 @CD, May 10 2013, 1 1/16 Miles, Maiden Claiming $30,000) Third choice in the wagering was off a beat slow, bumped slightly and was eager for action. The gelding ran up on the backside of others going into the first turn and was taken up, and then fought the rider throughout the turn. Settled fairly well down the backstretch and stalked. Entered the stretch and fought all the way to a good close second. The early problems and energy expended cost this one his maiden victory.

TYRUS (Race 11 @CD, May 12, 2013, 6 furlongs, Claiming $30,000 3L) Five year old was flat footed leaving the gate and was a step slow to get moving. Traveled wide down the backstretch and was caught wide throughout the entire turn. Made a respectable run down the lane, drifted in late, but secured third place despite losing so much ground.

At Emerald Downs

Davidaaronnathanne (Race 6 @EMD, May 11, 2013, 6 ½ furlongs, Claiming $4,000 3L) The colt was bothered at the break and forced to be a dozen or more  lengths behind a runaway leader. He settled on the rail and eventually made a nice rally until he was completely shut off by the eventual runner up at the eighth pole. After re-starting, this colt came again and ran down the others to gain show.

At Hollywood

MINISTER OF TRADE (Race 5 @Hol, May 11, 2013, 6 furlongs, Claiming $16,000 2L) Big longshot was slow to start and quickly a dozen lengths behind leaders. Slow to make up ground but hung to rail in turn and started to progress once in stretch. Made a very good rally and got up for third. The effort seemed to be one that was hardly noticed and could help to make a big price next time.

At Monmouth

FIRSTTOTHELINE (Race 4 @MTH, May 11, 2013, 6 furlongs, Claiming $25,000) Favorite hopped at start and then was steadied hard after the field ran the initial 1/16 of a mile. Far back in last she was used hard used by Joe Bravo to make up ground. A slight bump and a minor check at the top of the lane added to her misery on this day but she kept running and gained fourth. The filly is much better than her finished indicates.

TRAVELIN MAN (Race 11 @MTH, May 11, 2013, 6 furlongs, Stakes) Favorite broke slow and took a while to get rolling, was then hurried up along the rail and into contention. He looked to have a chance when the field came out of turn, but the five year old couldn’t get outside for racing room. He was forced back behind the leaders with a furlong out and then called it a day.

At PARX

BOY HAS RHYTHM (Race 6 @PRX, May 11, 2013, 6 furlongs, Claiming $7,500 4L) Longshot had a terrible start and was left far behind. Gradually made up ground and entered the stretch about 7 wide and then was about 10 wide in the stretch. Continued to close with determination and finished a sneaky fourth.

Off the Charts Trip Notes (May 8, 2013) spotlights horses throughout the country who encountered some type of significant or meaningful trouble in their most recent start or just gave an extremely impressive performance. Please note that horses spotlighted in Off the Charts Trip Notes are never an automatic bet back, but rather runners to give a serious look at given the trips and the trouble spotted by our expert handicappers at AGameofSkill.com.  Horses below listed in track name order.

At Arlington Park

STOUPINATOR (Race 5 @AP, May 3, 2013, 5 furlongs, Allowance 2L) A determined filly broke from the rail and advanced without incident until the turn. She was forced to wait throughout the turn and just before the stretch she was taken up and steadied and lost ground. Once into the stretch the filly swung wide to have a run and began to rally. She then had to move back toward the rail when the leader drifted outward. She closed furiously but missed the Winner’s Circle in a very tight photo. A tough trip kept the best horse from cashing the top check.

At Churchill

BELL BY THE RIDGE (Race 6 @CD, May 1, 2013, One Mile, Turf, Claiming $50,000) Six year old gelding was second choice and encountered trouble entering the first turn by taking up sharply and losing many lengths. He made progress down the backstretch and then bobbled closed to the 3/8 pole, swung out wide to have a run and came closing to winning. He tired in the stretch and finished third after a horrible trip.

TREE HUGGER (Race 9 @CD, May 1, 2013, 1 1/8 miles Turf, Allowance 1X) Moderately wagered Filly misbehaved before the start and then stumbled when leaving the gate spotting the field several lengths. After racing last down the backstretch the filly began to advance in the turn but could not advance due to traffic. Once into the stretch the traffic worsened, forcing TREE HUGGER to wait even more, only to be bounced around until she finally found room wide and closed well from mid-stretch to gain show.

FRAT MAN (Race 2@CD, May 2, 2013, 4 ½ furlongs, MSW 2 YO) Juvenile leaped in air at start and gave the field a nice head start in a short dash. Was rushed up and used to get in to contention at the top of stretch. Went a little wide and kept trying but started to grow tired and faded. The gelding may become a winner with a decent start.

GIVE HER SPACE (Race 5 @CD, May 2, 2013, 6 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $50,000) Maiden filly was in the air when the gate opened and by the time she took a step she was 7-8 lengths behind.  She ran very well after that. The filly was fifth at the quarter pole and continued to run with determination, collecting show about 5 lengths from the winner. A good start may have resulted in a win for the Larry Jones trainee.

I’LL CALL (Race 6 @CD, May 2, 2013, 1 1/8 miles Turf, Allowance 1X)  Favorite stumbled at the start and was placed on the rail with a snug hold behind traffic into first turn. Advanced down the backstretch and took third where he remained heading into the stretch. He raced with uncertainty as a loose horse was a threat to the field. I’LL CALL ran well enough among the conditions to hold third and looks to be a solid contender at this level.

BROKEN SPELL (Race 7 @CD, May 3, 2013, 3yo f stakes, 1 1/16 miles Turf). This filly from the D. Wayne Lukas stable was full of run when she was blocked badly at the 1/16th pole, costing her any and all chance. When she got clear, she finished well to nab the show spot in this renewal of the $150,000 Edgewood Stakes.

FUSAICHISWONDERFUL (Race 8 @CD, May 3, 2013, 7 furlongs, Grade Three) Sharp early and close to the pace this filly first encountered difficulties by being in a wait mode all the way down the backstretch. Had to take up at about the ½ mile pole, and then forced to wait most of the far turn. She was completely blocked at the quarter pole and could not find a way through the wall ahead of her until the 1 /16th pole. She showed she had plenty of run but her opportunity came too late. Without the trouble she was the winner.

DREAMING OF JULIA (Race 11@CD, May 3, 1 1/8 miles, Grade One) The favored filly in the Kentucky Oaks lost all chance of a victory when the gates opened in the Kentucky Oaks. She was squeezed in the beginning and forced to start near the rear. She appeared to be tenuous in her proceedings after the terrible start and gradually made progress down the backstretch but did not seem up to par. She was steadied just after the half mile pole and then had no choice but to enter the stretch wide to try and rally from an already vulnerable position. She showed great courage to get up for fourth, just missing the show position. It will be easy to forgive her finish in this race.