Off the Charts Trip Notes – June 9, 2013

Off the Charts Trip Notes (June 9, 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.

Arlington

ZUNI WOMEN (Race 8@AP, May 29, 2013, 5 furlongs, Claiming $25,000) The filly threw her head at the start and the hesitation caused her to start at near the back of the field. Forced to wait along the rail she was checked noticeably around the 3/8 pole and retreated to the rear. Midway in the turn she swung out to be the widest entering the stretch and pursued the leader while 6 wide. Ran well down the lane and in gaining second proved she was much better than the rest of the field.

CAPTAIN AMERICAN (Race 3@AP, May 31, 2013, One Mile, Claiming $16,000 2L) Fourth choice in wagering broke slow, awkwardly and slightly bumped a rival, was last quickly and slow to get involved after the break. Approximately 15 lengths behind after the opening quarter, the gelding began to methodically make his way forward and, although 4 wide in turn, never stopped gaining. He continued to run and eventually gained fourth.

Belmont Park

POINT TAKEN (Race 5@BEL, June 5, 2013, Opt16, 1 mile).  The probable winner in this field was completely blocked behind a trio of horses at the 1/8th pole, and jockey Junior Alvarado could not find an opening in the final furlong of this race. Finally, he wrapped up on the horse, finishing 5th just over 2 lengths for all the money. Make no mistake as this guy was full of run for trainer David Jacobson at the critical late stage of the race.

Canterbury

JOG (Race 1 @CBY, June 2, 2013, 6 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $6,250) Second choice in the wagering hesitated and then was checked from the gate, was slightly checked again after a few moments and was forced to make up ground on the inside down the backstretch. JOG made a very good move entering the turn, although wide at that point, and passed others to be fourth when entering the stretch before flattening out.

GYPSY MELODY (Race 5@CBY, June 2, 2013, 6 furlongs, Allowance 3L) Second choice in the field banged the side of the gate at the start, moved in the opposite direction and slammed into a foe before taking a step in the right direction. Left behind instantly the mare got going and began passing rivals when entering the turn going a few wide. She passed all others with ease, except the two pacesetters, and moved up to within a length of that pair when entering the turn. The early episodes of the race apparently took its toll and she could not advance further. She appeared to be better than all others when considering her troubles.

Churchill

ELECTRIC TEMPTRESS (Race 2@CD, June 2, 2013, 5 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $20,000 2YO) Favored filly broke in the air and was immediately behind the majority of the field and forced to wait. She then entered the turn and bolted slightly going very wide. She was a handful for rider Calvin Borel, who eventually got control of the youngster and helped her to make up ground to secure an easy second place.

Delaware

HEY SOUL SISTER (Race 3, DEL, May 30, 2013, 6 furlongs, Claiming $5,000 4L) The start of this favorite was a little worse than what it looked. She was squeezed back for several strides and was taken back to last. She was then rushed up along the outside traveling widest of all into the turn and appeared to get her nose in front right before the field entered the stretch. The rally died with about a furlong to go and she settled for fourth when the early trauma took its tool.

Hollywood

CURLY TOP (Race 7@HOL, May 30, 2013, 1 1/8 miles, Allowance 2L) Starting the widest post position CURLY TOP was forced wide into the first turn and had to take back still traveling several wide until the backstretch, where he raced last and widest until the field reached the middle of the far turn. He then launched a bid that took him very wide into the stretch. Despite losing a tremendous amount of ground and coming from last, the colt also faced a moderate pace that did not help. Better than his third place finish indicates.

CAVEMAN KENO (Race 8@HOL, May 30, 2013, 5 ½ furlongs, Maiden Claiming $20,000) Second choice was in tight quarters at the start and after the opening 1/16^th of a mile was forced to check sharply losing 6-8 lengths from the back of the field. Stayed along the rail and made moderate progress then began passing foes in the turn. Swung wide into the stretch, ran even until the last 1/16^th where he accelerated noticeably.

Lone Star

DANCINGTHEFOREST (Race2@LS, May 31,2013, 5 furlongs, Turf, Claiming $15,000 3L) The favorite was hustled and hard ridden from the gate only to be in the second flight and trapped along the rail before the turn. She was steadied before the far turn and then had to wait slightly in the turn with no room. She was then steadied at the 3 /16^th pole and in tight further down the stretch before she lost interest and faded.

PARX

JACKPOT LADY (Race 2@PRX, June 1, 2013, 5 ½ furlongs, Claiming $7,500 2L) Filly was away well but before reaching the 5/8 pole she stumbled while in tight quarters, nearly fell, was gathered in hand but lost valuable lengths. She raced hard to try and catch up but was very wide throughout the turn before losing interest and tiring. Probably fits well at this level and deserves another chance.

Penn National

DEPLOYMENT (Race 4@Pen, May 29, 2013, One Mile & 70 yards, Allowance 1X) It was a battle from the beginning for this colt who engaged in a speed duel that was still ongoing at the top of the stretch. His pacesetting rival drifted out and forced him wide while the eventual winner was coming wide of the embattled leaders. When all three were fighting for the lead the offending foe bore out quickly and hit DEPLOYEMENT hard forcing him to be squeezed between the offender and the eventual winner. DEPLOYMENT was forced to drop back but rallied again to get third showing great determination and energy after a difficult race. DEPLOYMENT was eventually placed second by the stewards.

Pimlico

WIRE FUNDS (Race 3@PIM, May 31, 2013, 5 furlongs, Turf, Starter $7,500) Starting widest of all the second choice on the board stumbled and broke outward losing many lengths. Rushed into contention and widest of those in first flight and was second at the top of the stretch, but the early problems took the life from him and he flattened to be fifth.

Woodbine

SHOWING TRUE (Race 6@WO, June 1, 7 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $20,000) Debut runner was still in the gate after the rest of the field took several leaps. She was a dozen lengths from the front before she took a good stride. Immediately taken wide once she was running, the filly caught the back of the field before the turn but proceeded to stay unusually wide and traveled 7-8 wide throughout the entire turn. Once into the stretch she remained far from the field and was still even with the back markers once she got to the top of the lane. She closed very well and with interest remaining but was far away from the competition. Only beaten about 4-5 lengths and just missed the fourth placing, this young lady covered far more real estate than her foes.