“Off the Charts” Trip Notes – March 1, 2014

This exclusive and free AGameofSkill.com feature Off the Charts Trip Notes (March 1, 2014) finds horses throughout the country who encountered some type of noteworthy 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.

Aqueduct

MISTER WOOLMAN (Race 10@AQU, February 17, 2014, Claiming $16,000) Second Choice traveled along the rail and approached the front trio just before the turn under tight restraint. Was making the winning move along the rail in the turn and, just short of gaining the lead, had to take up , and then checked again, losing a great deal of ground. He rallied again and swung wide in the stretch closing with determination to finish third.

Gulfstream

SOFIALEONOR (Race 1@GP, February 17, 2014, one mile, Maiden Claiming $16,000) Third Choice was off slow and hopped a bit dropping all the way to the back and remained in that position all the way down the backstretch. She was held up behind foes throughout the turn and under tight restraint having to hesitate slightly before making her move inside, then swinging wide into the stretch. Ran well to finish third.

HARBOR THE DREAM (Race 8@GP, February 17, 2014, 5 ½ furlongs, MSW) Longshot was in tight out of the gate and raced mid-pack down the backstretch before being checked and steadied nearing the far turn, and dropped back nearly to the rear. She came with a rush passing and weaving between horses, dropped to the rail and just missed third a few lengths from the winner.

TOP BILLING (Race 11@GP, February 22, 2014).  Kentucky Derby hopeful had to break from a terrible outside post in this two-turn affair, and then even worse, he had to race against a powerful early speed bias.  The Shug McGaughey runner (trainer of last year’s KY Derby winner Orb) made a monster move on the far turn and sustained a strong late running to get up for third behind the two speed horses.  The son of Curlin is very talented!

Oaklawn

ALMOST ENGLISH (Race 2@OP, February 20, 2014, 6 furlongs, Claiming $16,000) Second choice bobbled at the start and was forced to travel wide down the backstretch. Began to advance in the turn and was then crowded and checked hard just before entering the stretch and fell back near last. He came again even though all hope for victory was lost and finished a respectable third.

Sam Houston

MOONLITE MAYHEM (Race 7@HOU, February 17, 2014, 1 1/16 miles turf, Claiming $15,000) The fourth choice was tight and jostled a little in the first turn, began to make noticeable progress in the second turn while waiting briefly, moved into the stretch and was squeezed and checked hard stopping progress, rallied to be in the mix at the end in a very tight finish.

Tampa

COTTON KINGDOM (Race 1@TAM, February 20, 2014, mile 40 yards, Claiming $8,000) The second choice was slammed shortly after the gate and steadied, fell back to last early in the race, then tried to move up on the rail while in the turn and was checked hard once, then checked again and lost more ground. Shoved through along the rail at the top of the stretch and fought gamely to win.