“Off the Charts” Trip Notes – April 21, 2014

Aqueduct

PETE’S FLEET (Race 4@AQU, April 9, 2014, 6 furlongs, Claiming $12,500) Second choice in the wagering field leaped in air at start and was immediately last. He gradually made progress and stalked the leaders while under restraint in the far turn. When the field arrived at the quarter pole, he swung widest of all and began an authoritative rally winning under a hand ride. It could have been much worse for the competition.

Hawthorne

SHREWD OPERATOR (Race 2@HAW, April 9, 2014, 5 ½ furlongs, Claiming $5,000) The fourth choice stumbled at the gate and was at the back of the pack early. He made progress down the backstretch and eventually moved into third while going widest of all throughout the turn, when arriving at the top of the stretch and still making progress, he was forced to check and slightly leap over a fallen opponent. Finished fourth after the eventful trip.

Keeneland

GETTEM UP GIRL (Race 9@KEE, April 9, 2014, 6 furlongs, Starter $7,500) The second choice was mugged at the gate and began last. Was next to last when the field entered the far turn and was far back. She traveled wide into the turn when, making her rally and was widest and far back when entering the stretch. Rallied with determination and passed many in the stretch to get up and win. An impressive effort.

SIMILU (Race 7@KEE, April 10, 2014, 6 ½ furlongs, Allowance 1x) The second choice was off slow and last and remained in the rear for the opening furlong and was next to last after the initial half mile. Was forced to circle 7-8 wide when entering the stretch, had to wait momentarily and was blocked by the eventual for a few strides before making a good rally to run second.

MOVING WEST (Race 1 @KEE, April 4, 2014, 1 1/16 miles, Claiming $10,000) The second choice, one who normally stays very close to the lead, was pinched back and checked at the start and forced to begin the proceedings last, was then extremely wide in the first turn and was rushed into contention. Faded just before the stretch. The early trauma took its toll. 

DYNAMIC ROYAL (Race 3 @KEE, April 4, 2014, 1 1/16 miles, Claiming $10,000) The fourth choice traveled the widest of all participants throughout the entire race. He was also forced to try and catch a winner that set a pedestrian pace, but he was the only one gaining at the end and closed very well for the place position.

COUNTY CORRECTIONS (Race 3 @KEE, April 5, 2014, 7 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $50,000) The favorite had an interesting start from beginning to end. Broke in at start and bumped, then went after the leader along the inside. Almost even with the pacesetter and checked slightly, then had to check and pull up when crowded about the half mile pole and fell all the way to next to last losing 8-10 lengths. Rallied just before the stretch along the inside but had nowhere to go. Moved in and out before moving to the center of the track late while still closing. Finished sixth about 6 lengths back, but much better than the running line will indicate.

Oaklawn

WILD BY NATURE (race 4@OP, April 3, 2104, 6 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $12,500) The favorite broke through the gate before the start of the race. Competed for early lead and was eventually shuffled back and a good bit off the lead around the half mile pole. Started to rally wide in turn and came very wide into the stretch still a long way from the lead. Closed very well and took command winning by a couple of lengths; an impressive win after an eventful beginning and trip.

PARX

SLIPPINGONOUTTHERE (Race 3@PRX, March 31, 2014, 6 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $15,000) The second choice stumbled badly, almost to her knees, was corrected and darted forward to offer the only challenge to the leader. Easily took command at the 5/16 marker and then embarrassed the field by 9 lengths despite the terrible beginning.

WISE REMARK (Race 3@PRX, April 8, 2014, 6 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $15,000) The longest shot on the board, the only debut runner in the field and on a muddy track, stalked the early leaders and followed instructions to move forward while in the turn. Still a couple lengths behind the front runner at the quarter pole, the debut runner responded to urging, felt the stick on both sides and widened with every command to win by a dozen lengths and embarrass his opponents.

Pimlico

PUSHIN ON (Race 6@PIM, April 10, 2014, 6 furlongs, Claiming $15,000) The second choice engaged early and secured the lead after the opening 1/16^th, was challenged going into the turn but when the button was pushed he scooted away, and the margin widened greatly under a hand ride once into the stretch and won by nearly 10 lengths.

Tampa

APPLE ORCHARD (Race 1@TAM, April 2, 2014, 7 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $25,000) The third choice broke outwardly and bumped at the start and was last in the early going. He moved up just before entering the turn and was wide for most of the turn showing an interest. He moved down to the rail while still in the turn and was then steadied and had to wait for lack of racing room. He was able to get rolling again just before the 1/8 pole and closed well to gain place.

SALUTE THE MUSIC (Race 3@TAM, April 2, 2014, 6 furlongs, Allowance Optional $75,000) The fourth choice broke in and bumped and was then bumped from the other side. Moved up to track the leaders when going into the turn and then steadied, waited and forced to retreat eventually going all the way to last as the field hit the top of the stretch. She then closed well and secured the third position only a length from second and a pair of lengths from the winner.

Turf Paradise

BUBBA FIZZ (Race 4@TUP, March 31, 2014, 6 furlongs, Claiming $4,000) The fourth choice was off a beat slow and last early. Began to move when the field entered the turn and hit the stretch last and about 7 wide. Was in tight at the 1/8 pole and then rallied furiously to dead heat for place less than a length from the winner.