“Off the Charts” Trip Notes – July 9, 2015

AGameofSkill.com Horses to Watch

Belterra Park

Sharp Gal (Belterra Park / Race #4 / #6 / 7/4/15) – Tom Drury trainee was a victim of a domino effect when another filly fell and caused a horrible chain reaction. She was stalking in a winner’s stride when she went down around the 1/4 pole. – He said she came back fine, and be on the lookout for some payback.

Belmont Park

Samraat (Belmont / Race #4 / #4 / 7/4/15) – The compact field turned out to be a “smash em’ crash em'” affair. He was squeezed at the break, and fought tooth and nail to the 3/8th’s pole.  Just when you thought the bumpy ride was over, he was nailed again before tossing in the towel. Give him a clean start and you’ll see a whole new runner appear.

Strict Compliance (Belmont / Race #10 / #14 / 7/4/15) – Away awkwardly from the gate, and was wide most of the race. She had the services of Javier Castellano and he makes few mistakes. At 17-1, I felt the price was worth the outside post draw. Once he got sailing after being 8 wide he offered up a nice late kick to finish 4th. Give her a quick clock and she’ll set the record straight next out.

Ellis Park

Emmett Park (Ellis Park / Race #3 / #3 / 7/4/15) – Jon Court was aboard and had to over come a slow start being wide. Once he regained composure, he looped up five wide and came rolling. Looked like a winner but was bested by Joh’s Gone Wild. – I think a clean start gets the job done next out.

Prairie Meadows

Sweetgrass (Prairie Meadows “Iowa Oaks,” (Grade 3), Race 5, #7, 6/27/15) closed while being very wide on both turns on a weekend when the inner rail and early speed were dominant, only to get beaten by ¾ of a length at 9/1.  She fits very well with listed stakes fillies or N2x/N3L allowance horses from 7 furlongs to a mile and 1/16th.

Woodbine

Mosler (Woodbine / Race #10 / #2 / 7/5/15) – Shaun Bridgmohan was blocked in mid-stretch and appeared to have a handful of horse. He finished up with a handful, and will get loose in the lane next out. Be on the lookout for him to appear at Belmont for Bill Mott and the same rider in the long stretch of “Big Sandy.”