Off the Charts Trip Notes – AGameofSkill.com

Off the Charts Trip Notes (July 4, 2012) 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

WAYNES KITTEN (Race 1, June 27, 6 1/2 furlong mdclaimer). This guy made a strong, winning move on the far turn but was stuck inside of three horses. Remained there under jockey Francisco Giles as the runner was never able to get out. Giles finally decided to ask him to go up the inside but it was too late. He was also hurt by the slow pace in this maiden claimer. Strong effort.

DIXIE IN PINK (Race 9, June 29, 1 mile turf). California invader had a very unlucky go of it in her Chicago debut. She was in contention to make a winning run at the top of the stretch when she simply lacked any type of clear runner. She continued on willingly to the end, dead-heating for fourth in a sneaky good effort. Clean trip is all this one needs to graduate.

At Churchill Downs

TAP TWENTY ONE (Race 2, June 30 at CD, Maiden 2YO, 6 furlongs main). Debut runner was sixth choice in field of 12. Horrible start. Knocked around on both sides and stumbled. She was left 6 lengths behind another slow starter. Filly ran in mid track and entered stretch 4-5 wide and next to last, started to move and passed horses but had to alter stretch, then ducked down to the rail at the 1/8 pole. She was flying late to get fourth. Between the wire and first turn she galloped out strongly and passed everyone quickly, including the winner.

At Emerald Downs

RUN ATOM (Race 6, June 30 at EMD, 6 furlongs). Fourth choice in field of 8 claimers. Void of early speed and traveled along the inside. Began to rally and make progress in turn was the shut off at top of stretch and had to take up, started to run again and was checked at 3/16 pole losing all momentum. Deserves another shot to close at a good pace.

At Louisiana Downs

COTEAU CAT (Race 9, June 28, claimer). Very tough luck trip on the 7/5 first betting choice in this $5,000 claimer. Had a ton of horse turning for home when he was completely stymied behind a wall of horses at the 1/8th pole. When he finally got clear, he had no trouble rushing up the inside to secure second behind an easy trip winner. Has a winning attitude and should have little trouble winning next time at the same level.

L B TWENTY (Race 4 at LAD, June 29, six furlongs). Deserving favorite and the stronger half of the entry broke from the rail, was vying for the early lead when he was shuffled back along the inside. Tracked in fourth behind a wall of three horses on the far turn when the jockey very unwisely decided to ask this runner to go up the inside in mid-stretch to catch the eventual winner. Not surprisingly he wouldn’t do that and ended up 2nd best after this unlucky trip.

At Woodbine

FLYING ECHO (Race 4, July 1, WO, 1 1/16 main). Eighth choice in field of 10 maidens. At the back of the pack and along inside before starting to make progress just into the turn. Was forced to check and wait just before the 1/4 pole. Tried to move inside but opening closed at 3/16 pole and gelding was forced to check and wait. Ran well afterwards.