“Off the Charts” Trip Notes – May 27, 2014

Agameofskill.com Horses to Watch are never automatic bet backs.

Golden Gate

JACK JACK JACK (Race 3 @GG, May 22, 2014, 5 ½ furlongs, Claiming $4,000) The favorite was late to start and hopped before completely leaving the gate and was instantly last, he then traveled widest of all and did the same throughout the turn entering the stretch very wide, battled well and finished third just a length behind the winner.

Indiana Downs

UNION EXPRESS (Race 2@IND, May 21, 2014, 6 furlongs, Allowance 2L) The second choice bobbled at the start and began at the back of the pack. Began to rally when the field moved into the far turn while next to last. Weaved through traffic while passing horses in the turn, arrived at the top of the stretch still far back in mid pack, altered outward to mid track to have a run and began to close with an impressive rally, catching the winner but only a neck short at the wire.

Mountaineer

LOST APTITUDE (Race 2 @MNR, May 21, 2014, 4 ½ furlongs turf, Claiming $5,000) The third choice was soon near the rear at the break and then traveled along the rail before being slightly checked and taken back at about the at the 3/8 pole. Circled field while traveling widest of all in turn, was still far back when entering the stretch and looked to be an also ran, but he rallied and stormed down the center of the course and came within a neck of winning.

PARX

OSCARMYSTIC (Race 5 @PRX, May 20, 2014, 6 ½ furlongs, Maiden Claiming $25,000) The second choice was away well but had to wait to avoid being squeezed momentarily then proceeded to follow the leaders. He stayed toward the inside, moved into second and attempted to gain the leader on the inside but was forced to take up when the eventual winner came over. He then altered course, which cost him more ground, and moved outward for the drive but finished second by length-much better than his second place finish indicates.

Santa Anita

THIS CAT’S AWESOME (Race 4 @ SA, May 22, 2014, 6 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $30,000)  The favorite leaped in the air and moved out awkwardly, and began next to last. Began to move forward and went between horses and then moved outside and went wide into turn, gradually made up ground with ease and confronted the pacesetter outside the furlong marker and scored easily by a couple of lengths and it could have been more.

Woodbine

ROYAL FIGHTER (Race 2@WO, May 24, 2014, 6 ½ furlongs, Claiming $8,000) The fourth choice in the wagering hopped at the start, was slow to begin and immediately last. He moved up quickly behind the leaders but was forced to wait intermittently as he had nowhere to go, and this continued until the field reached the top of the stretch. Still behind the leaders he was forced to wait way too long and could never get out from behind foes until it was too late. It appeared for most of the race that he want to get out from the inside but could not and when he had room in the stretch, finally, and was encouraged with the right handed whip, he refused to move back inside when room opened up, but instead gave the appearance that he wanted to remain away from the fence.