Off the Charts Trip Notes – July 20, 2013

Off the Charts Trip Notes (July 20, 2013) searches out 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.

Delaware Park

LIL MR B (Race 4, July 10, 2013, One Mile 70 Yards, turf, Allowance 1X) The fifth choice broke well and took position on the rail. Through the stretch for the first time he was checked and held back and in tight quarters. Was forced to check again moving into the turn and threw his head about and it seemed that he wanted to be on the outside. He settled while going down the backstretch staying a couple of lengths off of the three pacesetters and moved well into the turn along the rail where he was steadied again. Continued to pursue the leaders and had a brief chance to gun for the lead at the top of the stretch but was blocked on the outside. He then lost interest and ran along to finish fifth.

ART CLASS (Race 6, July 10, 2013, One Mile 70 Yards, turf, Maiden Claiming $30,000) Third choice was off a little sluggishly and was caught wide into and throughout the first turn. He advanced well down the back stretch and was within a half length at the top of the stretch. Was forced out most of the stretch having to regroup twice and was even steadied some around the sixteenth pole. He finished a respectable fourth considering the circumstances.

Gulfstream

HOME OF AMERICA (Race 1 @GP, July 4, 2013, 4 ½ furlongs, 2 YO, Maiden Claiming $25,000) The favorite came out of the gate blazing and locked up with the eventual winner. The duo ran away from the field and when entering the stretch HOME AMERICA was bumped and bounced around by the winner. She continued to fight on but was forced to steady midway in the stretch when the eventual winner came over toward the rail. HOME OF AMERICA did not get relief from the stewards even though she was compromised.

VERO’S HERO (Race 2@GP, July 6, 2013, one mile, Claiming $5,000) The favorite and winner of the race was forced to play the waiting game for an extended period of time. He was  then pulled up slightly at the 3/16 pole while trying to find room, went inside and was forced to alter course back away from rail then forced to wait again. Daylight opened at the 1/16 pole and he shot through the gap to get up in time to win by a neck. The margin of victory could have been much, much more.

Monmouth Park

AMARISH (Race 10@MTH, July 4, 2013, 6 furlongs, Stakes) Fifth choice in a field of 6 was clearly better than the bettors thought. The gelding broke well and pulled up near the favorite and eventual winner but was forced to wait continuously from the half pole until midway in the turn. He lost second position and was back to third when he was forced to check behind the favorite before the field entered the stretch. AMARISH swung out for the drive and ran courageously, although not good enough to catch the winner, but by far better than his running line will suggest.

PARX

TROPHY POINT (Race 7@PRX, July 9, 2013, 6 ½ furlongs, Claiming $25,000) The third choice among fillies broke tardily and when trying to get position after being left at the back she was forced to go from side to side to avoid foes. Once out of trouble she was taken very wide to run down the backstretch. She began to rally while entering the turn wide, slipped down a little to battle between foes still several lengths behind the leaders. Disposing of those on her sides she took aim at the leaders and entered the stretch wide losing more ground, but continued to run on with interest. She gained the place position beaten a few lengths by an even money favorite.

ALL ABOUT AVERY (Race 9@PRX, July 13, 2013, 7 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $10,000) Second choice in the field stumbled very badly at the start and was very slow to begin. After she found her stride she was taken to the rail where she began a rally from about 9 lengths back when the field entered the turn. She ran very well, kept to the task, and secured the lead just inside the 3/16 pole. She looked to have the race won despite tiring but was caught by the favorite at the wire. An excellent finish considering her trouble.

Presque Isle

BOWDRIE (Race 2@PID, July 10, 2013, One Mile 70 yards, Claiming $7,500) A horse than won his last race was a handful before the start. When the gates opened he was completely unprepared to run and got away in less than acceptable fashion, plus was blocked by a foe. He ran next to last. It was a day for running for BOWDRIE and this race deserves to be dismissed when he starts again.

Suffolk

OFFICER MOO LA MOO (Race 2@SUF, July 10, 2103, One mile, Claiming $4,000) The winner found the wire before the others but not after an eventful trip. He first went out and bumped at the start, flew out in the first turn to be very wide, stuck to the task going about six wide in the final turn and was wide in the stretch and managed to hang on. He covered a great deal of real estate, unnecessarily, to win by a nose.

Woodbine

MONEY TALKER (Race 3@WO, July 13, 3013, 1 1/16 miles, Optional Claiming $62,500) Terrible start with the rider almost falling off. Left to very last, the gelding was hurried somewhat to get into contention and traveled wide in the first turn. Challenged down the backstretch and got the lead but the early trauma took its toll and he faded in the second turn before entering the stretch.

YELLOW BOAT (Race 4, July 6, 2013, 7 furlongs, Stakes) The favored filly was taking on stakes company for the first time and had nothing but trouble. She was behind a wall of opponents and was waiting for a place to run when entering the turn. She did nothing but wait the entire turn. When the field hit the stretch she tried moving inside and out but found avenues blocked every time. She was steadied a couple of times from the 1/8 pole to the 1/16 pole. She finally had a chance to run about 50 yards from the wire, which left her with a fourth place finish.

CREATIVE THUNDER (Race 5@WO, July 7, 2013, 6 ½ furlongs, MSW) The colt was making only his second start of the year and coming back from a near 60 day freshening. He was toward the rear at the start and was waiting behind a wall before moving into turn. He was taken out to follow the eventual winner but was forced to go 6-7 wide to have room to run. Rallied well down the stretch like an experienced horse but lost a very tight photo for the win.